A meningitis outbreak in Reading has claimed the life of a student and left two other young people requiring treatment.
At least one of the cases has been confirmed as meningitis B (MenB), which was linked to a cluster of deaths in Kent earlier this year.
Close contacts of people linked to the outbreak in the London commuter town are being offered antibiotics as a precaution.
Here's everything we know about the outbreak:
What do we know about the cases?
The person who died with suspected meningitis was a student at Henley College in Oxfordshire, officials confirmed.
Two patients being treated for the disease attend Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
Close contacts of the students have been offered antibiotics as a precaution.
“Dear patients. We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning (14th May) regarding the very sad news that a student at Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease,” the Hart Surgery said in a statement on Thursday evening.
“They have confirmed that they are actively contacting those who may be at risk due to a close association with the student involved.
“If you have not been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency, then currently you do not require any treatment. Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual.
“The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”
Henley College, in Henley-on-Thames, is a sixth-form college with more than 2,000 full-time students which teaches more than 60 A-level subjects and vocational diplomas, according to its website."
It is understood that the most recent case in Berkshire is not the same strain of MenB linked to the outbreaks in Kent in March.
What do health experts say?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said risk to the public currently remains low.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the UKHSA said that its specialists were “working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading”.
Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection, 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.
“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.”
Meningitis Now’s chief executive Dr Tom Nutt said: “Everyone at Meningitis Now is deeply saddened and concerned to hear reports of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting young people in Reading and the surrounding area, including the tragic death of a young person.
“We would urge people to remain vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. Meningitis can become life-threatening very quickly and early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely vital.”
What's the reaction from Reading University?
The University of Reading confirmed on Thursday there have been no cases among students at the institution.
Dr Paddy Woodman, director of student services at the University of Reading, said: “While there are no reported cases among University of Reading students, I know that our students, staff and family members may be concerned.
“We will be contacting students to remind them of existing information about looking out for signs of meningitis, and the importance of acting immediately on any worrying symptoms, as well as checking their vaccination status.”
Two students died in a meningitis outbreak in the Kent area in March – 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.
What symptoms should I look out for?
Symptoms can appear in “any order” and may 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," according to Dr Nutt.
“Teenagers and young adults are among the groups most at risk from meningococcal disease, and the recent outbreak in Kent has shown how quickly cases can emerge,” he added.
In March, hundreds of people were given the MenB vaccine or antibiotics to stem the spread of the bug in the Kent outbreak.
