Sixth-Form Student Dies of Meningitis as Two Pupils in Reading Treated

A sixth-form student at Henley College in Oxfordshire died this week after contracting meningitis, as two other pupils in Reading receive treatment for the infection.

The UK Health Security Agency confirmed the three cases: one fatal at Henley College and the others involving a student at Reading Blue Coat School and another at Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form, both in Reading. Close contacts of the three are receiving antibiotics as a precaution.

Henley College said in a statement the student died earlier this week. "Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the student's family and friends at this extremely difficult time," the college said. "We are supporting those affected within our college community and are following the advice and guidance given by the UK Health Security Agency. Out of respect for the family, we will not be providing further detail at this time."

The agency identified a social network connecting the three young people but provided no additional details on the links. One case tested positive for Meningitis B (MenB), with results pending for the others. It confirmed this strain differs from MenB outbreaks earlier this year, including two deaths in Kent two months ago tied to a Canterbury nightclub and three cases in Dorset in April.

The agency is sharing information with students and parents at the affected schools and said the risk to the wider public is low.

Dr. Shamez Ladhani, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, called it "really unfortunate" to see three separate outbreaks in such a short time. "This is a very rare disease but when it strikes it can be very lethal," Ladhani told the BBC.

He described the Reading situation as an "evolving situation." "Just like Kent was, just like Dorset... it is difficult to know where it is going to go from here," he said. "Hopefully it will settle down. At the moment, every indication is that there is no increased risk to any of the students in Reading, but the situation is evolving and if that changes we will take action if needed."

On BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ladhani added: "We have the strain from one of the three cases [in Reading] and we know that it is completely distinct to the one that caused the outbreak in Kent and the one that caused the outbreak in Dorset. We have identified a social network where these three are connected and we are almost certain that this is going to be the same strain. The fact that they have the infection means that we have the same preventative measure and will try and identify the contacts and protect them with antibiotics and vaccines."

England sees 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease each year, mostly in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Symptoms include a rash that does not fade under glass pressure, sudden high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain, sensitivity to bright lights, cold hands and feet, seizures, confusion and extreme sleepiness.

The UKHSA urged young people to ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, including the MenACWY vaccine given to pupils in Years 9 and 10.