Parents have voiced concerns after three children were hospitalised after an outbreak of meningitis at a Warwickshire school.
There has been one confirmed and two suspected cases of the virus at Coleshill School in Coventry Road, Coleshill.
The pupils are believed to be 11 and 12. The rest of their class at the specialist maths and computing college have had precautionary check-ups. Helen Evans, the mother of a year 10 pupil, said there was real worry.
The 41-year-old administrator from Coleshill said: “There are lots of rumours circulating between pupils and parents about how many cases there are with some people saying there have been ten cases. Children are being kept home by parents, but I just don’t know what to do. If we do not send them to school, but are at work, there is a fear they could be ill at home when you are not there.”
A spokeswoman for the Health Protection Agency said: “The HPA and NHS Warwickshire have been informed three pupils at The Coleshill School have been admitted to hospital, two with suspected meningococcal meningitis and one confirmed. The HPA is working with the school to trace close contacts to ensure they receive antibiotics. Close family members have also been prescribed with antibiotics. The school is sending letters to all parents with information on meningitis. The HPA and Warwickshire County Council would like to reassure parents and staff at the school that no special precautions are necessary and the school can carry on as normal.”
