A junior school pupil in Reading is being treated for meningitis, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed. The child, who attends Westwood Farm Junior School, is the fourth young person to contract the infection in the area, with all cases linked to the same wider social group.
The UKHSA said it is working with local health partners and the school to provide public health advice. Close contacts of the pupil have been offered antibiotics and, where necessary, vaccination to prevent further spread.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, often caused by bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms can include a stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to light, and a rash that does not fade under pressure. The UKHSA advises anyone with concerns to seek medical help immediately.
Westwood Farm Junior School has not commented further, but parents have been informed of the situation. The UKHSA has not disclosed the specific type of meningitis involved.
