A COLLEGE has confirmed a student is ill with suspected meningitis not believed to be linked to the outbreak in Kent.
Cases had previously been confirmed at two , four in , as well as one institution in .
Experts believe that a “superspreader” event linked to a Canterbury nightclub sparked the initial with the number of confirmed cases reaching 34 yesterday.
Now, St John Rigby College in Orrell, near Wigan, Lancashire, has sent a message to parents and carers about a “suspected meningococcal case” affecting a student.
The college wrote to parents on Friday night and states it has acted quickly and students will be able to return to classes this week.
The institution stated: “We have been advised by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that a student who attends this college has recently been reported as a suspected meningococcal case, which we understand will be concerning, especially in light on the ongoing situation in Kent.
“We would like to reassure you that we have acted quickly and there is only one suspected case at the college.
“Health agencies have completed contact tracing and there is no known connection to the situation in Kent.
“Across England, there is roughly one case of meningitis notified each day. Health professionals are managing the local situation as we would for any other case of meningitis in Wigan.
“All close contacts of this case have been identified already and offered antibiotics as a precaution.
“No one who has not already been identified and contacted needs antibiotics.
“The risk to students at this time is very low. There is no need for anyone to remain off college or not continue with usual activities.”
It comes after the number of meningitis cases linked to an outbreak in Kent that claimed two lives has fallen for the first time.
As of this morning, the number of confirmed cases was 20 and nine suspected cases remain under investigation, bringing the total to 29.
The UKHSA said: “Some cases initially classified as confirmed cases have been reclassified following further laboratory results and clinical investigation.
“As further laboratory assessments are completing, we expect some further probable cases to be downgraded in the coming days.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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