Classmates share meningitis strain

Tests for meningitis are being carried on two pupils

Tests on a second south Wales schoolboy being treated for meningitis have revealed he has the same strain of the disease as his classmate.

Both the four-year-olds from Ton Pentre Infants School, Rhondda, are being treated at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and are said to be in a stable condition.

The boys had received jabs for the C strain of the disease

The boys are suffering from the B strain of the disease for which there is no vaccine.

They were, however, vaccinated against the C strain virus as part of a routine immunisation programme.

Health chiefs have been giving antiobiotics to staff and pupils to prevent the spread of the disease.

Close friends and relatives of the two boys were given antibiotics as soon as their illnesses were diagnosed.

'Clear advice'

In a statement, education chiefs at Rhondda Cynon Taff said they had been advised that the school should stay open, and were urging parents not to panic.

"Bro Taf Health Authority's public health medical experts have given clear advice to parents that Ton Pentre Infants School should remain open and all pupils should attend," it said.

"Classes are running at the school as normal, although numbers are down substantially.

"In many cases, parents have been in touch to explain that these are authorised absences."

Bro Taf Health Authority consultant Dr Marion Lyons urged parents to be on their guard, as the signs of meningococcal disease were often easy to miss.

She said the tell-tale signs of meningitis included headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, dislike of bright light, and drowsiness.

The most distinctive symptom is a skin rash which does not disappear when pressed with a glass tumbler.