The schools attended by two pupils being treated for meningitis in Reading have been named following the death of a college student. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed the patients attend Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre.
The student who died was a pupil at Henley College in Oxfordshire, the agency added. Close contacts of the cases have been offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure. The UKHSA also confirmed that tests show the infection is not the same strain as the meningitis B linked to a fatal outbreak in Kent in March.
Public health response
Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, said: "We understand that many people will be affected by this sad news and would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of this student. Students and staff will naturally be feeling worried about the likelihood of further cases, however meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks, as we saw in Kent recently, are thankfully rare."
She added: "We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases. Meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the wider public remains low."
Symptoms and advice
The UKHSA has shared information with parents and students at all affected schools about the signs of meningitis. Symptoms can include a high temperature, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and feet, severe muscle pain, and a rash that does not fade under pressure.
Dr Mearkle stressed that "anyone can get meningitis", with around 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease diagnosed in England every year. "It's most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults," she said. "It needs to be treated quickly, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms. They can appear in any order and may not all be present, so seek rapid medical attention if there is ever any concern."
College statement
In a statement, Henley College expressed its "thoughts and sincere condolences are with the student's family and friends at this extremely difficult time. We are supporting those affected within our college community and are following the advice and guidance given by the UK Health Security Agency. Out of respect for the family, we will not be providing further detail at this time."
Background on meningitis outbreaks
The outbreak of meningitis B in Kent earlier this year led to the deaths of two people. In response, thousands were given the MenB vaccine or antibiotics to curb the spread.
Andrew Preston, a professor of microbial pathogenicity at the University of Bath, commented: "This latest outbreak again has emerged in the college age cohort, like the Kent outbreak. All current cases appear contained to a well-defined social contact group which enables rapid contact tracing and the administration of antibiotics and vaccination if deemed a necessary precaution. At the moment, there is no indication of transmission to the wider community, although understandably this will have caused wide concern in the area."
