A 21-YEAR-OLD man from the Stubbins area of Rossendale is the latest suspected victim of meningitis.

The man was admitted to Burnley General Hospital on Sunday and his condition today was described as "comfortable".

The case - the 66th in East Lancashire this year - comes 10 days after it was reported that three children were being treated for the killer disease in Burnley General.

The children, a 22-month-old boy and two-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy from Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall, were allowed home after treatment.

The previous week, a three-year-old girl from Burnley was also admitted to Burnley General with suspected meningitis.

Already this year there has been a 30 per cent increase in reported cases of meningitis but public health nurse Jeff Scott stressed the cases were reported and not all were confirmed meningitis.

A vaccination programme against the type C strain, which accounts for about 40 per cent of cases, began in East Lancashire two weeks ago.

Parents are being urged urged to be vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms which include headaches, a dislike of intense light, stiffness, blurred vision, babies can become inconsolable and irritable, there can be a rash and nausea and levels of consciousness drop.

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