A CHILD from Oxfordshire has died from suspected meningitis.

It is believed the child was a girl in the foundation stage of Appleton Primary School, near Abingdon.

She died on Friday morning after being admitted to hospital earlier that day.

Last night Health Protection Agency’s Thames Valley Health Protection Unit confirmed the case.

Spokesman Theresa Cash said: “The Health Protection Agency’s Thames Valley unit has been notified of the death of a child from Oxfordshire who was admitted to hospital with suspected meningococcal infection but sadly died.

“No public health action is needed for any but close household contacts.

“These people have already been identified and given antibiotics to stop the bacteria spreading.

“Letters have been sent to parents of children attending the child’s school informing them of the situation and reassuring them that the risk of any further cases is extremely low.”

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

The infection can develop very quickly, sometimes within a matter of hours.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to, a bruise-like rash, high fever, stiffness in the neck, drowsiness or confusion, a severe headache and a dislike of bright light.

A letter was sent to parents at the school on Friday from Edward Wynne-Evans, consultant in communicable disease control for the Health Protection Agency.

In it, he said the risk of another case in the school was “very small” but stressed it was important to be aware of the signs and symptoms.

He said: “Meningococcal bacteria are carried in the back of the throat of about one in 10 people at any one time, but only very rarely cause illness. Most people who carry the bacteria become immune to them.

“Diagnosis in the early stages can sometimes be difficult.

“The early signs can be similar to bad flu symptoms but be watchful and use your instincts.

“If someone becomes ill with some of these signs or symptoms, contact the doctor urgently and ask for advice.”

Dr Wynne-Evans added: “Our sincere condolences go to the family and everyone involved.”

School governor Peter Wardell-Yerburgh declined to comment.