Guidance

Supporting information for the outbreak investigation of group B meningococcal disease survey

Updated 30 March 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at /government/publications/meningococcal-b-outbreak-investigation-survey/supporting-information-for-the-outbreak-investigation-of-group-b-meningicoccoal-disease-survey

Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important to understand why the survey has been shared and what it will involve for you.

Read the following information carefully.

The purpose of this survey

The UKHSA is investigating an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent. Invasive meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is a rare but serious disease caused by meningococcal bacteria. Meningitis is a dangerous swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord and septicaemia is when bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning. Both of these conditions can rapidly trigger sepsis. The onset of illness is often sudden and early diagnosis and rapid treatment with antibiotics are vital.

In this outbreak investigation, we want to invite first year students from the University of Kent and Canterbury and Canterbury and Christ Church University, to complete a short, voluntary survey to enable UKHSA to explore possible exposures and behaviours associated with the outbreak of meningococcal disease. We are also inviting other people who attended a club in Canterbury on certain nights to take part in the survey.

Participation

The people who have been invited to take part

You have been asked because you are a first year student at either the University of Kent and Canterbury or Canterbury and Christ Church University.

You may have been invited to take part because you have bought an online ticket or are on the mailing list of Club Chemistry, one place that several cases visited in the days before they became unwell.

Taking part is optional

Participation is completely voluntary; it is up to you whether or not you want to complete the survey. You may choose not to complete the survey without consequence. If you do decide to take part you are also free to stop at any time, without giving a reason.

The information collected in this survey cannot be used to identify you. We are not collecting your name, contact details, or any information that directly identifies you or the device you are using (such as phone, computer, or tablet).

How to fill out the survey

You have been sent a link to the survey. If you are happy to take part, you can use the link to complete a survey which will cover questions related to where you might have been, exposures, activities and social interactions. Some questions will be personal.

The questionnaire should take around 10 minutes to complete.

Information that will be collected

We do not collect any information that directly identifies you. However, the survey does ask for some personal information to help us understand patterns of exposure

The survey will include questions about:

  • demographics: age; gender; sexual orientation, ethnic group, relationship status
  • environment: housing type, shared kitchen
  • Club Chemistry: social activities such as smoking, vaping, drinking, recreational drug use, physical contact
  • frequency of social activities

How taking part helps us to understand meningococcal outbreaks

Taking part in the questionnaire will not benefit you directly; however, the information you provide will help to better understand the possible behaviours and exposures associated with this outbreak of meningococcal disease.

There are no direct disadvantages to completing the questionnaire, but participating will take up a small amount of time.

If you change your mind and don’t want to carry on with the survey

You are free to stop at any time without giving a reason.

You can stop the survey at any time, data that has been collected to that point will be retained.

Because we do not collect any identifiable information, it will not be possible to identify your responses to withdraw them after you have submitted the questionnaire.

Information you provide will be kept confidential

UKHSA will keep all the information securely in accordance with data protection law, namely the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Only authorised UKHSA staff working on the outbreak investigation will have access to the data. We will not share your individual responses with your university, healthcare providers or any other third parties.

For more information regarding UKHSA, what data UKHSA collects, how UKHSA uses data and how data may be shared please see the UKHSA privacy notice.

UKHSA Research and Public Health Ethics Governance Group (REGG) approval has been granted for this study.

Analysis of the information collected

Once the survey is complete, we will analyse the survey data we have collected and report the findings. The results of this analysis will inform public health control and management and may be shared with expert and technical advisory groups.

You can ask for a copy of any reports by contacting menb_survey_2026@ukhsa.gov.uk

Data collected will be retained for 5 years and will be reviewed annually. After 5 years the data will be destroyed in line with UKHSA policy.

About the UK Health Security Agency

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for protecting each member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases and other health threats. We aim to collect data that can be used to improve the health of the whole population.

How to follow up on any concerns or questions you may have

For concerns or questions relating to the survey, contact us using the following email: menb_survey_2026@ukhsa.gov.uk and we will do our best to answer your query. We will acknowledge your concern within 10 working days and give a response as to how it will be dealt with. If you remain unhappy or would like to make a formal complaint, please contact: UKHSA complaints team, email complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk

See further information on the complaints procedure.

For concerns regarding infection use the UKHSA Helpline:

Call 0344 225 3861, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, if you have no symptoms but are concerned, you have been in contact with a confirmed case, or you have a general enquiry.

Further information and support

Meningitis support services

The Meningitis Research Foundation
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
UK: 080 8800 3344
Republic of Ireland: 1800 41 33 44

Meningitis Now
0808 80 10 388 (9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 1pm Friday)

Meningococcal disease and the MenACWY and MenB vaccinations

For more information on meningococcal disease and the meningococcal A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) and meningococcal b (MenB) vaccinations:

Report side effects to ciprofloxacin

Report any suspected side effects to ciprofloxacin through the Yellow Card Scheme:

  • online at Yellow Card Scheme
  • downloading and using the Yellow Card app:
  • Apple
  • Android
  • calling the Yellow Card scheme on 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

University support services

If you have any concerns, please contact university student support and wellbeing.

University of Kent:

Canterbury Christ Church University

Other support services

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