Meningitis UK comment: cases at Wadebridge School in Cornwall
06.04.11
A girl has died and another is in hospital after two cases of meningitis at a school in Cornwall.
Other pupils at Wadebridge School, a mixed comprehensive in Cornwall with around 1,200 students, are now being given antibiotics after the girl, in Year 8, died on March 29.
In a letter to parents, Tina Yardley, the school's headteacher, told them of the girl's death and urged parents who see any symptoms of the deadly infection in their children to contact a doctor at once.
MENINGITIS UK COMMENT:
Meningitis UK has been in touch with Wadebridge School to offer support and awareness resources.
The charity is urging parents to be extra vigilant to the symptoms of meningitis in the wake of the recent cases.
Steve Dayman, the charity's chief executive who lost his own son to the disease in 1982, said: "After the tragic death of a Year 8 pupil, to hear about another case so soon after is very concerning. It must be distressing for the whole school and community.
"To lose a child to a terrible disease like this is the biggest emotional challenge a parent can face and my heart goes out to all her family and friends at this difficult time.
"While it's important not to panic, people need to be alert to the disease's symptoms and act swiftly if they're concerned.
"While meningitis and septicaemia are rare, it is common for the bacteria which cause the disease to live harmlessly in the back of people's throats. They can only be passed from person to person in nasal or oral droplets, for example by kissing or sneezing.
"The bacteria are harmless to most of us but can potentially turn into deadly killers, which is why people need to remain vigilant."
He said that meningitis is notoriously difficult to diagnose because its initial symptoms are similar to the cold and flu.
Meningitis UK is dedicated to funding vaccine research to eradicate the disease through its Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.
Although successful vaccines exist to protect against some strains, there is still no vaccine available to protect against the most common form – meningococcal group B.
The meningococcal bacteria can cause two distinct forms of the disease - meningitis (infection of the meninges that surround the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Meningococcal septicaemia and meningococcal meningitis can occur together or separately.
Classic symptoms of meningococcal meningitis are a headache, stiff neck and a dislike of bright light. Other symptoms can include difficulty supporting own weight, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea and confusion and drowsiness.
Common symptoms of meningococcal septicaemia include aching limbs, cold hands and feet and a rash which starts like pin prick marks and develops rapidly into purple bruising.
Not everyone gets all the symptoms, and they can appear in any order. Children under five and those aged 15 to 25 are most at risk, particularly those who have recently suffered from a cold or flu.
Mr Dayman added: "Our advice to parents is to make sure they know the full range of symptoms to look out for, in addition to the rash which doesn't always appear.
"If they think their child has meningitis then they should go straight to the hospital. It's important to act quickly because meningitis can kill in under four hours."
Meningitis UK is offering the public free symptoms information packs to help raise awareness. These include a leaflet with all the facts and frequently asked questions, plus a 'Check the Symptoms' fridge magnet and a handy wallet-sized symptoms card.
To order your free symptoms information pack, please call 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisUK.org
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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