THE death of a student at Kent University from a rare infection has been described as "a one in a million chance".

Health chiefs have circulated a letter and information leaflet to other students and staff advising them to take hygiene precautions.

The 17 -year-old, who was from North Cyprus, died in Kent and Canterbury Hospital on January 16 from panton-valentine leucocidin (PVL), an MRSA-type illness.

Those who had very close contact with him have been swabbed. Health chiefs say the risk to other staff and students is extremely low.

He had just started a foundation year in preparation for a BA social sciences degree.

* See the Kentish Gazette (January 25) for the full story.