City student dies from meningitis

A first-year student at the University of Bristol has died from meningitis.

The student, who is not being named by the authorities, died on 14 November, two days after being admitted to the city's Royal Infirmary hospital.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it had offered antibiotics to a small group of people the student would have had close contact with.

The university has written to undergraduates reminding them of the symptoms of the bacterial infection.

Dr Joyshri Sarangi, a consultant in communicable disease control at the HPA, said: "This is a tragic death and our thoughts are with the student's family and friends."

In a statement, the HPA added: "The HPA's Avon health protection team has been working to identify any people who may have been at increased risk of infection as a result of being household contacts of the student.

"This group of students and family members has been provided with preventative medication."

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