Meningitis outbreak at Merseyside school

Nov 6 2007 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

HUNDREDS of pupils at a lead- ing Merseyside grammar school will today begin anti-meningitis treatment after two sixth formers caught the potentially fatal disease.

The teenagers, a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, were last night described as in “stable” condition at Arrowe Park Hospital after being diagnosed with meningococcal disease – a trigger for one of the most serious strains of meningitis.

All 600 sixth-form pupils at Calday Grammar School, in West Kirby, were handed letters telling them to expect to receive a course of antibiotics when they arrive at school today.

The close friends and family of the two infected teenagers have already received the treatment “as a precaution”, according to officials from the Health Protection Agency.

Parents are also being advised to keep a close eye on their teenage children to see if they develop any of the symptoms associated with meningitis.

Teachers at the school, on Grammar School Road, will also be offered drugs as a precautionary measure.

Dr Hilary Thurston, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with the Health Protection Agency’s Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Unit, said: “It is comparatively unusual to have two cases at the same time in the same school, so to be absolutely safe, we are giving antibiotics to all fellow sixth form pupils and staff.

“However, we are able to reassure pupils, staff and parents that this really is a precautionary measure, to be safe.

“We tend to see more meningococcal cases over the winter months and we would strongly advise everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for.”

School headteacher Andrew Hall declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Post last night.

But in his letter to parents, he said: “Because of links between the two cases in the school which meets the definition of linked cases, the Health Protection Agency and the Primary Care Trust are following national guidelines and arranging to give antibiotics to other students and staff in the sixth form.

“The antibiotics will be available at the school on Tuesday 6th November. The usual antibiotic used is called Ciprofloxacin and is given as tablets.

“If there are any reasons why this antibiotic cannot be used, an alternative called Rifampicin can be used. Rifampicin is given as capsules over two days.

“It gets rid of the meningococcal germ from the noses and throats of people carrying the germ.

“These antibiotics do not remove the need for continued vigilance and anyone worried that he/she may be developing the signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection should still seek medical attention as soon as possible.

“Antibiotics are not being given to sisters or brothers of the sixth formers who attend the school. This is because antibiotics have side effects and they may do more harm than good if they are given outside the group who need them, by killing beneficial protective bacteria in the throat.”

Guidance on the NHS Direct website states that Meningococcal infection is a serious illness that can cause meningitis, an inflam-mation of the brain, or blood-poisoning condition septicaemia.

The onset of illness can be sudden and treatment should be sought promptly when the infection is suspected.

Approximately one person in 10 carries the bacteria harmlessly in the nose and throat and occasionally something will happen to trigger meningococcal meningitis or septicaemia, such as the patient getting a bad cold or flu.

A spokesman for Wirral Council said the authority had been informed and was working with the school and the Health Protection Agency.

It is understood the outbreak is expected to top the agenda at a meeting of the board of governors, due to take place tomorrow.

One source at the school said: “It has shaken people up, but everyone’s pleased with the way it has been handled so quickly and effectively.”

Since the introduction of a very effective vaccine cases of Meningococcal C have reduced from approximately 200 a year to just a trickle of cases in the North West. However, vaccines have not yet been developed against other strains of the disease so everyone should be vigilant for signs of the infection.

Anyone with concerns about meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia should phone NHS Direct on 0845-4647.