The BBC's Valerie Jones reports on "a worrying time for parents"

Health officials are concerned that the outbreak appears to have been caused by a strain of group C meningitis.

Although the strain is not new, it is increasing in prevalence in the UK.

The move came as it was confirmed that a 50-year-old teacher who worked in the Rhydyfelin area of Pontypridd, south Wales, died of meningococcal septicaemia in the early hours of Monday morning.

The woman, was admitted to the intensive care unit of East Glamorgan Hospital in Church Village just after midnight but died within four hours.

Bro Taf health authority said a woman who lived in the Rhydyfelin also died of meningococcal septicaemia a couple of weeks ago but that there was no connection.

Precautions

Seven children at schools in the Pontypridd area have been affected. One of the pupils died last week, another is critically ill.

The BBC's Delyth Lloyd: "A major incident"

1,600 pupils and teachers at Coed-Y-Lan Upper and Lower schools, and at Trerobert Primary schools in Pontypridd are being given antibiotics.

A vaccination programme will begin on Tuesday.

Doctors will visit the school at the centre of the outbreak on Monday to ensure all pupils are treated with antibiotics.

More than 1,000 children at Coed-y-Lan comprehensive in Pontypridd were given antibiotics on Sunday.

Doctors will also be issuing antibiotic tablets at Coedylan's primary school building, which is four miles from the senior school on Monday.

Headteacher, Phil Raybould, said two pupils fell ill on Friday and another two were taken to hospital on Saturday.

They are being treated in East Glamorgan Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Last Sunday Gareth Gould, a 15-year-old boy from the school, died at East Glamorgan Hospital.

The outbreak follows concern over the high number of recent cases of the brain disease among the young.

Action

Dr Meirion Evans, a consultant in communicable diseases at Bro Taf Health Authority, said: "We are extremely concerned by this outbreak and are asking parents to be extra vigilant and alert to the symptoms."

He urged parents and teachers to be extra vigilent and alert to the sympotms of the disease which include, fever, sickness and a distinctive red rash.

Sue Roberts, also of the authority, said there were two main strains of meningitis, groups B and C.

"This is a sub-strain of group C, which has been around for a couple of years.

"It is more aggressive than the other strains, which is causing the increase in the area at the moment.

"This means it is easier to catch, but it is just as treatable," she said.

Mr Raybould praised staff and pupils for their action over the weekend.

He said: "It was an amazing experience. I didn't leave the school until 10.30pm (on Sunday) and we managed to get tablets to more than 1,000 pupils.