Pembrokeshire College student dies after meningitis

Students at Haverfordwest-based Pembrokeshire College have been urged to be vigilant after a fellow student who had contracted meningitis died.

The student, who has not been named, is believed to have died between Thursday night and Friday morning, says Public Health Wales (PHW).

Health chiefs said the student's immediate family and close friends had received antibiotics.

The student contracted the meningococcal serotype group B strain.

PHW said that it had written to students at the college to keep them informed.

The letter said students should be vigilant for any symptoms, but they were not thought to be at any risk.

Receive medication

Dr Mac Walapu, consultant in communicable disease control for PHW, said: "We have been made aware of the death of a teenager from Pembrokeshire.

"Laboratory results have indicated that the student had meningococcal serotype group B.

"We have arranged for people who were in close contact with the teenager to receive medication which will prevent them from becoming ill.

"Public Health Wales will not release the names of patients and would ask that the privacy of the family concerned is respected."

Dr Walapu said meningitis could affect anyone at any time and it was important to be aware of the symptoms, which can include headache, fever, drowsiness, vomiting, neck stiffness and possibly a red rash that did not fade when pressed with a glass tumbler.

A flag at the college was flying at half mast on Saturday.

More information can be obtained from the Meningitis Research Foundation on 0808 800 3344 or the Meningitis Trust on 0800 028 1828, which both operate 24-hour freephone helplines.