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The Canterbury Academy has confirmed a student is being treated for meningitis, as the outbreak which has left two young people dead is declared of 'national significance'

A fifthschool has confirmed a pupil has been struck down with meningitis amid the deadly outbreak in Kent.

The Canterbury Academy is the fifth school in the county to be affected by the illness, as the spate of cases has now been declared a "national incident". The UK Health Security Agency said this morning that 20 cases have now been confirmed across the region, including a 18-year-old sixth form pupil and 24-year-old university student who died.

The school in Canterbury has sent an email to parents confirming the latest case. A sixth form student at the school is receiving treatment for the disease.

The email reads: "I have been advised by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to inform you that a student in Year 13 at The Canterbury Academy is being treated for Meningococcal disease. We understand that antibiotics were administered early and that they are responding very well to treatment."

Across Kent, cases have been reported at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham, Simon Langton Boys' School in Canterbury and Norton Knatchbull in Ashford. Highworth Grammar School in Ashford also confirmed a pupil had been taken to hospital with suspected meningitis, reports Kent Live.

In a statement, head teacher Duncan Beer said: "We are sad to report we have a Year 13 student who has been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of meningitis. Our thoughts are with them and their family who, at this stage, are waiting for a confirmed diagnosis."

"We are supporting all our students regarding this update, taking specific precautionary measures on hygiene and sharing key information regularly with the school community."

One individual who had resided in Kent presented to a London hospital with no community contacts in the capital. A UKHSA spokesperson said: "All those affected who are currently linked to the outbreak are young adults.

"UKHSA is aware of a baby with confirmed Meningococcal group B infection who is not currently linked to the outbreak but UKHSA will continue to investigate this case. This is a rapidly evolving situation and there may be further cases as those with symptoms are encouraged to seek medical advice."

GPs across the country will today be advised to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry between March 5-7 and to University of Kent students, if they have been asked to seek preventative treatment.