Meningitis case confirmed

People are being treated with antibiotics as a precaution

One of two suspected cases of meningitis in south Devon has been confirmed as the meningococcal strain of the disease.

The cases involved two children from separate primary schools in the Kingsbridge area who were admitted to hospital on Thursday.

A spokesman for the South West Peninsula Health Authority confirmed the case but would not say whether it involved a child from West Alvington Primary School or Kingsbridge Primary School.

Close family and friends of the child are being treated with antibiotics as a precaution.

It is not thought the cases at the two schools are connected.

Last Monday, a schoolgirl at Tiverton High School died from meningococcal meningitis.

The Devon Health Protection Unit is stressing that the number of cases of meningitis reported this year so far is not unusual.