Meningitis horror as Wirral two-year-old dies

Jun 9 2009 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Echo

A TWO-YEAR-OLD boy has died from meningitis.

The toddler, who attended the Pitter Patter Nursery in Wallasey, died on Saturday after contracting the infection.

Today staff at the Warren Drive nursery said they were “devastated” by the toddler’s death.

The boy’s family and close contacts are being treated with antibiotics as a precautionary measure.

Parents at the nursery have been told about the death and given information on meningitis and its symptoms.

However, they have been reassured that it is safe for their children to continue to attend.

The Health Protection Agency said last night that the boy’s death appears to be a single isolated case, and no further action is necessary within the nursery.

It is understood the toddler was taken to hospital with symptoms, where he later died.

Dr Katy Elders, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with the HPA’s Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Unit, said: “This is a tragedy for the child and for the child’s family and our hearts go out to them.