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Meningitis “highly unlikely” for recovered student


* 26 January 2004 *

Meningitis “highly unlikely” for recovered student

Meningococcal disease is now highly unlikely to be the cause of illness in one of the two suspected cases of meningitis at the University of Sussex, after blood test results on the first-year student today proved negative.

The first-year student, who was treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, is recovering well and is expected to leave hospital shortly.

Dr Angela Iversen, consultant in communicable disease control at the Health Protection Agency, said: "It is now highly unlikely that the case is meningococcal meningitis. At present we are not considering extending public health action but the situation is being kept under constant review."

Support and advice continue to be offered to students and staff following the death, which was reported yesterday, of the other student who was suspected of having contracted meningococcal disease.

A helpline giving information and advice to those concerned has been set up at the University, and the campus community has again been reminded to be alert to the symptoms of the disease.




* Notes for editors *

Press Office contacts: Jacqui Bealing or Alison Field, University of Sussex,

Tel. 01273 678888, Fax 01273 877456, J.A.Bealing@sussex.ac.uk or a.Field@sussex.ac.uk.

Website: www.sussex.ac.uk




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