A secondary school has issued a warning to parents after a student was struck down with suspected meningococcal disease.
A letter has been sent to parents of children at Ashton-on-Mersey School in Sale after one pupil was admitted to hospital with the infection.
Public Health England say the bacterial infection can lead to both meningitis or septicaemia.
In the letter, the school said the pupil had recently been admitted to hospital with suspected meningococcal disease, but that there is 'no reason for children to be kept at home'.
The letter contained advice about the disease which is said to 'rarely spread' from child-to-child within a school.
It said: "The risk of another case in the school is very small, but it is sensible to be aware of the main signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia."
The bacteria that cause the illness live naturally in the back of the throat and can spread between people in droplets from the mouth and nose.
Many people can carry it without becoming unwell.
In the UK meningococcal disease is almost always caused by one of four meningococcal groups commonly known as MenB, MenC, MenW or MenY.
These groups of meningococcal disease can be prevented with vaccines.
The letter adds: "Please ensure your child is up to date with their routine vaccinations with their GP practice.
"Even if they had MenC vaccine when they were younger, it is important that teenagers get the MenACWY vaccine as it boosts protection against MenC disease and protects against more groups of meningococcal disease.
"Be watchful for signs and symptoms even if your child is up to date with their vaccinations as available vaccines do not protect against all causes of the disease."
Mr Lee McConaghie, headteacher at Ashton-on-Mersey School, said that staff are supporting the affected pupil's family and are 'fully supporting their recovery and eventual return to school'.
He added: "We have been informed that a pupil in the school was admitted to hospital last week with meningococcal disease.
"Although the risk of spreading at school is low we have taken advice from Public Health and have circulated guidance to the school community including all parents and carers.
"It is important that we are all vigilant and watchful of any signs or symptoms.
"As always, the advice in such cases is to seek medical advice immediately should anyone be concerned."
