Meningitis outbreak in Berkshire causes panic in three schools

The UK Health Security Agency confirmed a student death from meningococcal meningitis at Henley College, with two other Berkshire schools, Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre, also affected. Dr Rachel Mearkle, of the UKHSA, assured the public that while cases are rare, close contact is necessary for transmission and precautionary measures are being taken. The outbreak is not linked to the Kent meningitis B strain but is a different strain.