Two pupils from different schools treated for meningitis after student death

Two pupils from different schools in Reading are being treated for meningitis following the death of a student from a nearby town.

They attend Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

It was also confirmed that the pupil who died attended Henley College, about nine miles away in Oxfordshire.

Close contacts of the cases have been offered antibiotics as a precaution.

The UKHSA said testing showed it is not the same strain of meningitis B as in previous outbreaks this year in Kent and Dorset.

A University of Kent student and a year 13 pupil died in the Kent outbreak in March, prompting thousands to queue up to get the vaccine or antibiotics.

A statement from Henley College said 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," it added.

"Out of respect for the family, we will not be providing further detail at this time."

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord.

If not treated quickly, it can be very serious and can lead to life-threatening sepsis and permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

Symptoms can include a temperature, severe headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and feet, severe muscle pain and a rash that doesn't fade under pressure.

Read more:
What exactly is meningitis and what are the symptoms?

Dr Rachel Mearkle, from the UKHSA, said meningitis "requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks, as we saw in Kent recently, are thankfully rare".

"We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases," she added.

"Meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the wider public remains low."

Meningitis is most common in teenagers, babies, young children and young adults and there are about 300-400 cases in England every year.

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