Dr Hilary Jones shares meningitis advice after new outbreak

Health & Fitness
15 May 2026 • 6:06 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Dr Hilary Jones shares meningitis advice after new outbreak

Dr Hilary Jones has reminded the public of meningitis symptoms after a student died and two other people received treatment following an outbreak in Reading.

One of the confirmed cases is meningitis B (MenB), the same strain linked to fatal cases in Kent earlier this year.

"This is very unlikely to be a risk to the general public... It's contained. We're monitoring the situation," Dr Hilary said, explaining that symptoms to look out for include fever, headache, neck stiffness, a rash on the body, cold hands and feet, and mottled skin.

Symptoms in later stages include a rash that doesn't fade if pressed firmly with a clear glass against the skin.