A TWO-YEAR-OLD girl from Blackburn has been struck down with suspected meningitis while on a Millennium holiday with her parents in Spain.

The toddler is believed to be in hospital after falling ill during the trip.

Public health officials said today that they were anxiously waiting for news of the girl's condition.

The case is one of three of suspected meningitis to occur in East Lancashire during the Christmas and New Year holiday. A five-year-old girl from Colne and four-year-old girl from Waterfoot were treated for the disease, but have now been allowed home.

Parents have now been put on alert and warned to watch out for the danger signs.

Dr Roberta Marshall, consultant in communicable disease control in East Lancashire, said letters have been sent to a nursery that the child attends in Blackburn notifying it of her illness.

Dr Marshall said: "The nursery was very upset when they heard the news. We are a bit in the dark about the child's condition and we are waiting for more details. "We understand the child is on holiday in Spain with her parents."

A spokeswoman for East Lancashire Health Authority said none of the cases were linked and have not yet been confirmed as meningitis.

She said all the children's immediate family had received follow-up treatment.

Parents have been urged to be aware of the symptoms which include vomiting, fever, stiff neck, dislike of light and a blotchy skin rash which occurs in about 50 per cent of cases.

Last year cases of the brain bug increased by almost 30 per cent on the previous 12 months. There were about 70 cases during 1999 including six deaths - five from the Blackburn health district and one from the Burnley area.

In November a national vaccination programme against the C strain of the disease was launched. The vaccine has already been offered to teenagers aged between 15 and 17.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph Meningitis helpline number is 0990 446644. Enter selection 8219.

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