Wigan college’s ‘reassurance’ message after suspected meningitis case

St John Rigby College, in Orrell, confirmed on Friday (March 20) that it had been advised by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that a single student is being treated as a suspected meningococcal case.

The college stressed that only one case has been identified and that there is no known link to a separate outbreak in Kent, where the number of meningitis cases has risen to 34.

Health authorities have already carried out contact tracing, identifying close contacts of the student and offering them precautionary antibiotics.

The college said that anyone who has not been directly contacted does not require treatment and that the overall risk to students remains very low.

It added, that across England, approximately one case of meningitis is reported each day, and health professionals are managing the situation in Wigan in line with standard procedures.

Students have been advised that there is no need to stay off college or alter their usual activities.

In a statement published on its website, St John Rigby College said it had acted swiftly and continues to work closely with health officials to monitor the situation.

The statement said: “We have been advised by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that a student who attends this college has recently been reported as a suspected meningococcal case, which we understand will be concerning, especially in light of the ongoing situation in Kent.

“We would like to reassure you that we have acted quickly and there is only one suspected case at the college. Health agencies have completed contact tracing and there is no known connection to the situation in Kent.

“All close contacts of this case have been identified already and offered antibiotics as a precaution.

“No one who has not already been identified and contacted needs antibiotics.

“The risk to students at this time is very low.

“There is no need for anyone to remain off college or not continue with usual activities.”