Canterbury's Student Exodus: Meningitis Scare Empties University Town
The historic city of Canterbury, typically bustling with student life, has fallen into an unusual quietness as thousands of students have departed early for the Easter holidays. This mass exodus follows a meningitis outbreak that has prompted significant public health measures and disrupted university activities.
Empty Pubs and Quiet Streets
At The Cricketers pub in Canterbury's city center, manager Ash Bolonghe surveyed his near-empty establishment on what should have been a lively St Patrick's Day celebration. "Normally, as soon as the doors open on St Patrick's Day, we're full," Bolonghe explained, gesturing toward the handful of theater-goers who constituted his only customers. "But not today."
Similar scenes played out across Canterbury's high street, with another popular bar and music venue completely empty despite expectations of lunchtime crowds from nearby offices and student residences. Staff members could be seen meticulously cleaning surfaces and door handles as they waited for customers who never arrived.
University Response and Student Departures
The University of Kent, where one of the two meningitis fatalities was a student, has implemented several significant changes:
- In-person assessments have been cancelled
- Exams have been moved to online formats
- Students in halls of residence will be offered meningitis B vaccines
- Precautionary antibiotics are being distributed across multiple locations
These changes, combined with growing health concerns, have prompted many students to pack their belongings early. Throughout the week, masked students could be seen pulling suitcases toward Canterbury's two train stations, creating what some residents described as a steady exodus from the university town.
Public Health Measures in Action
Four locations in Canterbury have been established to distribute emergency precautionary antibiotics, with approximately 11,000 doses available across these sites. Westgate Hall, one of the primary distribution centers, saw significant queues on Monday that diminished somewhat by Tuesday.
Stephen, a 24-year-old who attended Club Chemistry on one of the nights linked to the outbreak, explained his decision to seek antibiotics: "I read it in the news, and last night they said they recommend people to come in for the antibiotic. We all decided to come, just to be safe. I've got to take it seriously."
He expressed concern that information about potential exposure could have been disseminated earlier, noting that he had revisited the club the weekend following the initial exposure dates of March 5-7.
Community Reactions and Comparisons
The situation has drawn inevitable comparisons to the COVID-19 pandemic, though with notable differences in public response. A 24-year-old University of Kent student who requested anonymity observed: "It's like Covid II. A lot of students have left. Three of my housemates have already gone."
However, she noted a calmer atmosphere overall: "I think people are less panicked than with Covid, because we've been through this before. And everyone is used to online exams now. So people are calmer. But nobody is going out. It's really, really quiet."
Among non-student residents, reactions varied. Pauline, a 72-year-old retired tech analyst, commented: "I've been to the supermarket twice. I'm not in a blind panic. I don't think this is as scary as Covid." She acknowledged the town was quieter than usual but understood the concern, noting: "Everybody knows that all the kids congregate at Chemistry."
Ongoing Concerns and Responses
The mass departure of students using public transportation has raised concerns about potential further spread of the outbreak. Meanwhile, on local social media platforms like the Canterbury Residents Facebook group, worried parents have questioned whether they should remove their children from school, and some have called for petitions to extend vaccination programs beyond student accommodations.
Roland Cobbett, a 66-year-old archaeology researcher who sought antibiotics as a precaution after using university facilities, praised the rapid establishment of distribution centers: "It's better to be safe than sorry. The swift setting up of the antibiotic clinics has been absolutely brilliant."
Despite the quiet streets and empty establishments, some aspects of normal life continue in Canterbury. People still sit outside in the sunshine enjoying drinks, though lunchtime footfall at main restaurants appears significantly reduced from typical levels.
The four locations currently distributing antibiotics to those who attended Club Chemistry include:
- The Gate Clinic at Kent and Canterbury Hospital
- Westgate Hall on Westgate Hall Road in Canterbury
- The Thanet Community Health Hub on Northwood Road in Broadstairs
- The Senate building at the University of Kent
As Canterbury navigates this public health challenge, the city awaits the return of its student population while health authorities work to contain the outbreak and prevent further cases.
