Parents of youngsters at a Bradford school have been alerted after a suspected case of the deadly bug meningitis.

Warning letters have been issued to parents of children at Russell Hall First School, Queensbury, after a pupil was struck down with suspected meningococcal meningitis but is now out of danger.

The child, who has not been named, is now being treated at Halifax General Hospital.

Headteacher at the school, Michael Ford, said the pupil was not in danger.

Public health officials from Bradford Health Authority had been in contact and letters had been distributed to parents telling them about the illness.

They had been told more than one case of the illness was rare and there was no need for pupils to receive antibiotics.

"My understanding is there is no danger to the child or anyone else," he said.

"People were getting worried and we just wanted to give them any information that we could after we were contacted by the medical services and circulated information they sent us."

Dr Ruth Gelletlie, consultant in public health medicine at Bradford Health Authority, said: "Meningococcal disease is rare and most patients recover completely."

There are nearly 3,000 cases of bacterial meningitis a year nation-wide, causing fatalities in about 11 per cent of cases.

Symptoms of meningitis include drowsiness, fever and vomiting, severe headache, stiff neck and aching limbs and joints, dislike of bright lights and a distinctive rash in some cases.

The incubation period from exposure is between two and ten days but the disease normally develops within seven days.

Anyone concerned their child has the symptoms should get medical help immediately.

For further information call the Meningitis Research Foundation helpline on 01454 413344.

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