Junior school pupil treated for meningitis in fourth Reading case
BBCA junior school pupil is being treated for meningitis in Reading, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
The Westwood Farm Junior School pupil is the fourth young person to contract the infection, with all four linked to the same wider social network, the UKHSA said.
Last week, Lewis Waters, who attended The Henley College in Oxfordshire, died with the infection.
The UKHSA said the Westwood Farm pupil was "recovering well" and confirmed close contacts linked to all four had been offered antibiotics as a precaution.
Two others cases were reported in Reading last week - at Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre.
Dr Mattea Clarke, from the UKHSA, said the fourth infected individual was "of a different age" to the others affected, but that they were all "part of the same wider social network".
"It is very different to the both the Kent and Dorset situations, and through our contact tracing we have been able to identify the fact that all four cases are linked," she explained.
"That gives us a network in which to offer the preventative antibiotics, and other protective measures."
Two months ago, two people died of MenB in Kent, linked to a nightclub in Canterbury, and in April, three young people contracted meningitis in Dorset.
Family photoDr Clarke said the latest case was "recovering well and receiving the treatment that they need".
She said the "most important thing" for the public was "being aware of the signs and symptoms" of meningitis.
The agency previously said all of the cases in the latest outbreak had been confirmed to be Meningitis B (MenB).
It added that it was sharing information about the infection with students and parents at all affected schools.
"I completely understand that parents, carers and children in the local area may be worried when they hear this news - but I would like to reassure them that for the local population the risk remains very low," Dr Clarke said.
"This remains a very rare disease, and we have taken actions to reduce the risk of wider spread."
Lewis Waters was described as "funny and kind hearted".
Posting a tribute on Facebook last week, his family said they were devastated and "words simply can't describe the heartbreak and upset we're going through".
His father Sean Waters said Lewis developed sepsis "within a few hours of feeling ill".
"He fought hard and was really taken care of by the ICU team, but they just couldn't save him," he wrote.
"We are absolutely devastated."
There are about 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease diagnosed in England every year.
It is most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults.
Meningitis symptoms can develop suddenly - and can include:
- a rash that doesn't fade when pressed with a glass
- sudden onset of high fever
- severe and worsening headache
- stiff neck
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- joint and muscle pain
- dislike of bright lights
- very cold hands and feet
- seizures
- confusion/delirium
- extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking
The UKHSA said young people should check they are up to date with vaccinations, including the MenACWY vaccine offered to pupils in Years 9 and 10.
It remains free on the NHS for people until the age of 25 but does not protect against all strains of meningitis.
The UKHSA said other strains, like MenB, can circulate among young people.
