Students were put on full alert for meningitis today after a teenager was admitted to hospital suffering from the killer disease, writes Stephen Deal.

More than 1,500 students at the Oxford College of Further Education have been immunised against meningitis C in the past two days. Many had the vaccination after hearing that one of their fellow students had been taken to hospital. His condition was described today as stable.

Worried students at the college campus in Oxpens have been told what symptoms to look out for. Earlier this year, 19-year-old Oxford Brookes University student Adam Prior died from the disease. Two other students in the city were also struck down but recovered.

Student Madeline Swain, 17, who had a jab yesterday, said: "I am worried about it and that's why I got my injection. It's something we have to be concerned about."

Sumen Gill, 17, added: "The jab was quite painful but most people would have had it even if no-one had been taken into hospital. Obviously, no-one wants to get meningitis."

Routine vaccinations were taking place at Oxpens when the student was struck down. The injection only protects against meningitis C, which the technology student is suspected of suffering from. Posters have been put up in the college, urging students to be vaccinated.

Oxfordshire Health Authority said the outbreak was an isolated case and advised that classes should continue as normal. Students on the same technology course have been given specific medical advice.

Mike Thompson, who is the college's marketing manager, said the response from students had been close to 100 per cent.

He said: "What we are desperately trying not to do is scare people. This student is stable and getting better." Health chiefs stress that the disease, which normally affects young children but can also affect teenagers, is typically transmitted by close contact with the bacteria carried in the nose and throat.

Symptoms include fever, vomiting, severe headache, stiff neck, back or joint pain, dislike of bright lights, a rash with spots that do not fade under pressure, disorientation or a coma.

Story date: Wednesday 01 December

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