PARENTS of children at a Wirral nursery are being urged not to panic after one of its two-year-olds died from meningitis.

Jun 10 2009 by Liza Williams, Wallasey News

The toddler, who has not been named but attended the Pitter Patter Nursery in Wallasey, died on Saturday after contracting meningococcal infection.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says the child’s family and close personal contacts are being treated with antibiotics as a precautionary measure.

Parents at the nursery are being told about the death and given information on meningococcal infection and its symptoms.

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

The HPA said the boy’s death appears to be a single isolated case, so no further action is necessary within the nursery.

Staff at the Warren Drive centre said they have been “devastated” by his death.

It is understood the child 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.

“However, parents of children who attend the nursery should not be unduly concerned, although it is important for everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal infection and be ready to take action whenever it is suspected.

“About one person in 10 carries the germ in their nose and throat without coming to any harm from it.

“It is only spread from one person to another by very close contact and usually by contact within the same family. “

A spokeswoman for Pitter Patter nursery said: “Everyone is satisfied that there is no link to the nursery at all but we have all been devastated by his loss.”

The meningococcal germ is common, but illness resulting from it is rare.

For more information contact the Meningitis Trust on 0845-6000-800, or log on to www.meningitis-trust.org

Alternatively, ring NHS Direct on 0845-4647.