A STUDENT at New College in Swindon currently receiving treatment for bacterial meningitis and is now recovering.

Public Health England (PHE) is working closely with the college following a case of bacterial meningitis in a student at the college and is now urging students and parents to be aware of the signs of infection.

PHE has been working to identify close contacts of the case during the incubation period of this infection to eliminate asymptomatic carriage (when a person carries the disease but shows no symptoms) and hopefully prevent the further spread of the infection.

Antibiotics have also been arranged for the close contacts of the student.

Dr Bharat Pankhania, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for the PHE centre said: “We understand that there will be concern among students, staff and parents following this case, and we are following national guidelines in implementing control measures such as eliminating carriage in close contacts in order to reduce spread of infection.

“The best advice remains for everyone to be aware of and alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection, especially students and their parents. Early recognition of meningitis and septicaemia symptoms can greatly improve the outcome of the disease, if in the next 14 days or so anyone is feeling unusually unwell they should contact their GP.”

Amanda Walton, head of marketing and customer services at New College said: “This week is Meningitis Awareness Week and the college already had information about this disease on display. We will continue to raise awareness around the college to ensure students know what symptoms to look out for and what to do in case they are unwell.

“There are two on-site nurses available to offer advice and guidance to anyone who is concerned and we will update our students accordingly if there are additional actions to take."