A SECOND child at a Burnley nursery has been struck by the potentially fatal disease of meningitis.

The nine-month old baby boy, from Burnley, was diagnosed at his home and is today being treated at Burnley General Hospital where health officials say he is "doing well".

Last month, 22-month old Sophie Bilham, of Wood Street, Hapton, who also attends the baby unit at Le Monde Petit, in Bank Parade, was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. The signs were spotted early and she made a full recovery.

Parents with children at the nursery have been sent letters from the East Lancashire Health Authority's consultant in communicable diseases Dr Roberta Marshall alerting them of the second case.

Manager Pam Young has organised two meetings at the nursery, tonight and tomorrow at 7pm, when Dr Marshall will speak to parents and answer questions.

A two-day course of antibiotics has been offered to the nursery's 40 babies and all 20 staff will have a course of treatment. Parents of older children at the nursery have been advised to look for the tell-tale signs.

Mrs Young said: "I am devastated that we should have two cases at our nursery, but both were identified when the children were at home and we have been reassured that it does not mean there is a link to the nursery.

"The mum of the second child is happy with everything the nursery has done and we have followed the advice of the health authority. Parents of the 135 children who attend the nursery aware of what has happened, we have sent out leaflets and organised the special meetings. "The nursery will carry on - we have no reason to close and we will be just as vigilant with the children in our care as we have always been. We have a good parent staff liaison and I don't see any reason why that can't continue."

Dr Marshall said: "We don't have any evidence that these two cases are linked. It is early days in terms of laboratory investigations on the second child.

"The main message is parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms. However the risk of meningitis is still very very low.

"The warning signs are: headache, feeling off colour, vomiting, dislike of light, stiff neck, rash which doesn't go away under finger pressure, crying and not being able to be comforted."

The Meningitis Research Foundation can be contacted on 01454 413344 for information and advice.

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