No new cases of meningitis linked to outbreak
The update has come from the UKHSA
Last updated 23rd Mar 2026
There have been no new cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent reported, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
As of 12.30pm on Sunday, 20 cases have been confirmed, with a further nine under investigation – no change on the previous day, the UKHSA said in a statement on Monday morning.
It comes after Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, praised the “Herculean efforts” to protect people and officials warned on Friday of the potential for “sporadic” household clusters to appear in other parts of the country.
A UKHSA spokeswoman said: “Whilst we expect some further probable cases to be downgraded in the coming days, this outbreak is not yet over.
“As we go into this week, we remain fully committed to ensuring people receive the advice and treatment they need to stay safe.”
Following further testing of samples, the total number of cases has dropped from 34 on Saturday.
Mr Streeting offered his condolences to the families of the two students who have died in the outbreak and said his thoughts are with those in hospital “fighting this terrible disease”.
He said in the statement on Sunday: “It has been an incredibly difficult week for those affected and for those working on the frontline response to this outbreak.”