Parents in Wibsey have been issued with warning letters after a schoolgirl was admitted to hospital with suspected meningitis.

The Wibsey Primary School pupil is being cared for in hospital where her condition was today described as 'poorly'.

All 600 youngsters at the school in North Road have been issued with letters describing the early symptoms of meningitis - a potentially fatal disease.

Health bosses have confirmed that a girl from the school is infected with suspected meningococcal disease, the same bug which leads to the most serious form of meningitis.

Today, head teacher Ian Williamson said: "We were told on Monday and we followed normal procedures. We are working with the public health department at Bradford Health Authority."

He added that he understood that the type of meningitis that the girl was suspected of having was a rare strain, although serious.

The girl's immediate family had been given antibiotics "although it's extremely unusual to see linked cases of this illness", but there are no plans to vaccinate pupils against the disease.

Dr Ruth Gelletlie, consultant in communicable disease control, said: "I would stress that further cases are extremely unlikely, however it is important to be aware of the symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek urgent medical help if there is any concern at all."

Symptoms include:

a high temperature, and/or vomiting

severe headache

stiff neck, aching limbs and joints

drowsiness and/or a purple rash which does not fade when pressed

in small babies, refusal to feed and a high-pitched cry.

Immediate, 24-hour advice is available from NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

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