As residents and students in the Canterbury area, we are deeply concerned about the ongoing meningitis and sepsis outbreak that is claimed to have started with students from Kent. The outbreak is reportedly spreading rapidly and has now affected Canterbury, leading to an increase in both cases and fatalities. It is a situation that is growing increasingly dire, and we fear for our own safety as well as the safety of our peers and the community at large.

Meningitis and sepsis are both serious, life-threatening conditions that require immediate and effective action to contain. Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, and it can lead to serious complications or even be fatal. According to public health data, bacterial meningitis can be deadly within hours and can result in long-term disabilities, such as brain damage or loss of limbs, even after recovery. Sepsis, which can be a complication arising from infections like meningitis, is a life-threatening response to infection that can cause tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

Given the severity of this situation and the rapid increase in reported cases, we join other concerned communities, including those in Kent who have already signed a petition, in calling for immediate action. It is imperative to close Canterbury Christ Church University temporarily until it is confirmed to be safe. Preventative action is not just prudent but necessary at this juncture to protect students, faculty, and residents from exposure.

We urge the university authorities and public health officials to act swiftly to contain this outbreak. Measures must include thorough investigations, ensuring that all health guidelines are followed, and possibly vaccinating all students and staff against meningitis strains identified as causing this outbreak.

The health and safety of students and the community must be prioritized over any inconvenience a temporary closure might cause. The prevention of further illness and loss of life should be our immediate focus, and it is crucial that the necessary actions are taken promptly.

Please add your name to this petition to demand that Canterbury Christ Church University is closed until it is safe for all to return. By signing, you will be advocating for the health and safety measures that are desperately needed now. Together, we can push for the right actions to protect ourselves and our community.