Kent meningitis outbreak: the latest on the bacterial strain at its centre

A meningitis outbreak in Kent has been caused by a strain of bacteria that appears to be genetically distinct from anything scientists have seen before. Health officials are working urgently to understand what that means.

As of March 23, 23 young people have been confirmed as cases or considered probable cases of invasive meningococcal disease linked to the outbreak. Two have died. The majority attended a nightclub in Canterbury called Club Chemistry in the first week of March, and almost...