DON'T PANIC OVER MENINGITIS SCARE (From Warrington Guardian)

DON'T PANIC OVER MENINGITIS SCARE

FEARS of a meningitis outbreak have been played down only days after two Winsford schoolgirls were hospitalised showing symptoms of the killer bug.

Cheshire's local education authority (LEA) has confirmed that two girls from Handley Hill Primary School - one reception class pupil and a seven-year-old - were taken to Leighton Hospital last week with suspected meningococcal meningitis, but have now been discharged.

As the Guardian went to press, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, from the Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Team, said that it was not possible to say if the girls definitely had meningitis.

Confirmed

He said: "It's not an outbreak as it has not been confirmed yet. These are probable cases at the moment and we are continuing the investigation.

"Antibiotics will be issued to those in close contact with the two girls and guidelines have been issued to the school."

A spokesman for the LEA said there was no evidence to say the cases were linked and that the girls had lessons in separate buildings.

She added: "We are delighted to say that both children have now been discharged and are doing well.

"We have worked closely with the health protection team from the outset and have followed all their advice. They have advised that there is no cause for alarm and that it is safe for children to continue to attend school as normal."

But one worried parent with children at Handley Hill contacted the Guardian last Friday warning that many parents would keep their children away after a letter was handed out informing parents of the news.

She said: "A lot of parents have begun to keep their children off school after a child was taken to Leighton Hospital.

"I will certainly be keeping my children out of the school for the foreseeable future."

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk

l ACCORDING to the Meninigitis Trust, meningococcal bacterium is one of the most common causes of meningitis.

Information from the trust said: "Most cases are isolated incidents, but clusters of cases - two or more cases - of meningococcal meningitis can occur.

"The bacteria are very common and live naturally in the back of the nose and throat, or the upper respiratory tract.

"People of any age can carry the bacteria for days, weeks or months without becoming ill. In fact, being a carrier helps to boost natural immunity.

"Urgent treatment with antibiotics and appropriate hospital management is essential for someone with bacterial meningitis. The sooner they are diagnosed and treated, the greater chance there is that they will make a full recovery.

Symptoms of meningitis include:

l High temperature

l Fever - possibly with cold hands and feet

l Vomiting, sometimes diarrhoea

l Severe headache

l Neck stiffness; joint or muscle pains

l Sometimes stomach cramps with septicaemia

l Dislike of bright lights

l Drowsiness

l Fits

l Confusion or disorientation

If you think someone you know may have meninigitis, contact your doctor immediately. For more details contact The Meningitis Trust's 24-hour helpline on 0845 6000800.