As of 18 March 2026, an outbreak of 20 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) – including two fatalities – have been reported in Kent (southern England). The cases were 17 – 21 years of age, some are students of the University of Kent. In addition, France reported to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) two confirmed cases who had attended the University of Kent. So far, six (of nine) cases have been confirmed to be meningococcal serogroup B. UKHSA investigations identified a nightclub in Canterbury as a possible exposure site between 5-7 March. A targeted vaccination program and provision of prophylactic antibiotics are underway through UKHSA and in close collaboration with the University of Kent and the aforementioned club.

Serogroup B accounted for 55% of IMD cases (total 2’263 cases, 202 fatalities) reported to ECDC in 2024. ECDC assesses the risk of IMD to the general population in the EU/EEA as very low.