18 March 2026 – Canterbury

Following recent news regarding cases of meningitis in the Canterbury area, including within the University of Kent community, we recognise that you may feel concerned as you are due to visit the University for the upcoming EDCC Conference.

We apologise that this message has not reached you sooner. Our immediate priority was to work closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to ensure that the appropriate support and arrangements were in place for our students, staff and visitors.

We want to reassure you that the University is continuing to work closely with the UKHSA, we haven’t been advised to cancel events, and the Canterbury campus remains open. In some circumstances decisions will be made to cancel events at a local level due to personal/individual circumstances – and this will be communicated as required.

The UKHSA are leading the public health response, and we continue to follow all public health guidance to ensure that our students, staff and visitors are supported.

If you would like to discuss your upcoming booking further, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to the University of Kent.

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Rogério de Lemos
General Chair EDCC 2026
r.delemos@kent.ac.uk