Two students contract meningitis

About 600 pupils at the grammar school will given antibiotics as a precaution

Two teenage pupils at a top Wirral school are being treated in hospital for suspected meningitis.

Sixth formers at Calday Grange Grammar will be given antibiotics as a precaution after a 16-year-old girl and a boy, 17, contracted the illness.

The teenagers have been receiving treatment for the meningococcal disease, the most serious strain, since they were admitted to intensive care.

The pair are now believed to be showing early signs of improvement.

Remain vigilant

Dr Hilary Thurston, consultant in communicable disease control for Cheshire and Merseyside health protection unit, said: "It is comparatively unusual to have two cases at the same time in the same school, so to be absolutely safe we are giving antibiotics to all 600 fellow sixth form pupils and staff.

"We tend to see more meningococcal cases over the winter months and we would strongly advise everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for."

Signs of meningitis A rash that will not fade when pressed with a glass Sudden onset of high fever Severe and worsening headache Stiff neck, vomiting, muscle pain, very cold hands and feet Dislike of bright lights Drowsiness that can lead to a coma

Letters have also been sent home to parents urging them to remain vigilant to symptoms of the disease.

A spokesman for the school confirmed two pupils were ill with the disease.

Close family contacts were dispensed antibiotics over the weekend, again as a precautionary measure.