Another case in Barnsley meningitis outbreak
Story byJames Marriott

ANOTHER child has been struck down by meningitis in an outbreak which has already claimed the lives of two babies.

The latest victim, from Darfield, was taken to Barnsley Hospital and diagnosed on Sunday ­ although it is not known which strain.

Last week the Chronicle revealed that the outbreak had killed two three-month-olds from Wombwell and Darfield. Both had the 'B' strain of the meningococcal septicaemia virus.

A third infant was diagnosed at the same time but is recovering well.

Chronicle On-line understands that the fourth child, thought to be older than the others, is also making a good recovery.

Barnsley public health authority's consultant in communicable diseases Dr Ken Allen said they were still investigating the strain in the latest case.

"It will be like this until the spring. We could get more cases and parents should remain alert and know the symptoms.

"We have not been able to find links between the four cases.

"You do get clusters sometimes and people tend to read too much into them.

"There were five cases in a small area of Lincolnshire recently and there is a trickle in Doncaster, although there does seem to be more happening here at the moment."

He said that although there is no vaccination against the more dangerous 'B' strain of the virus, some parents have still not had their children immunised against the 'C' strain.

He added that on Monday health chiefs announced an expansion of the vaccination programme.

"Not every child has had the vaccination despite it giving 60 per cent protection.

"It is never too late even for some of the young ones to have it done. It is a very effective vaccine."