One infant has survived Dronfield meningitis outbreak but another has died

One infant has now recovered following a meningitis outbreak in Dronfield but another infant has tragically died of the disease, it has been confirmed.

Public Health England (PHE) were notified of two cases of meningitis in children who attend Lenthall Infant and Nursery school, in Dronfield.

A PHE spokesperson said: “The first case has recovered, but sadly the second case died and our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

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“As a precautionary measure, as in all cases of meningococcal meningitis c, the close household contacts of the children were offered prophylactic antibiotics.

“It is uncommon to get two cases of the same strain of meningitis in one school. Therefore as an additional precautionary measure, both children and staff at the school were offered prophylactic antibiotics.”

PHE said it is working with NHS partners and Derbyshire County Council to ensure all necessary actions are taken.

Dr Sophia Makki, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at PHE East Midlands, said: “The risk that the meningococcal germ has been passed on to others is low. About one person in ten carries the germ in their nose and throat without coming to any harm from it. It is only spread from one person to another by very close contact.”

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Symptoms of meningitis can include: a high temperature and/or vomiting; severe headache; a stiff neck, aching limbs and joints; a dislike of bright lights; drowsiness and/or purple rash, which does not fade when pressed; in small babies, a refusal to feed a high pitched cry and swelling of the soft spot on top of the head.

Not all signs and symptoms may show at once, but someone with this illness may become very ill and while it may progress over one or two days, it can also develop very rapidly, which is why it is important to be very watchful over someone who is showing any of the symptoms above. If you are concerned contact your doctor.

More information can be found at:

Public Health England https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/meningococcal-disease-guidance-data-and-analysis

Meningitis Now: www.MeningitisNow.org