Kent meningococcal carriage study
Resources and information relating to the UKHSA's investigation of meningococcal bacteria carriage amongst students aged 18 to 24 in Kent taking place from May 2026.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The UK Health Security Agency is responding to the recent outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in Canterbury, Kent, in March 2026. Meningococcal meningitis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis.
Many healthy people carry the bacteria in their nose or throat. This is especially common in young adults, including university students. Having meningococcal bacteria in the throat does not normally make individuals unwell, but in very rare instances, it can cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).
The meningococcal meningitis outbreak in Kent was very unusual. As a result we want to find out how commonly meningococcal bacteria, especially the strain that caused the outbreak, are carried in the throats of university students in Kent.
To do this, UKHSA are asking eligible students to take part in the investigation by completing a short online survey and providing a throat swab, which will be taken by experienced healthcare staff at a number of university campus locations.
Take part in the study
If you are eligible and would like to take part in the meningococcal carriage study, sign up using the link below.