A student suffering from suspected meningitis is expected to be moved out of intensive care soon.

The first-year theology student from Westminster College, Oxford, is said to be in a stable condition at a hospital in Canterbury. He was taken ill on Friday during a weekend trip to his home in Kent.

His term-time home is in halls of residence on the Westminster College campus at Harcourt Hill, Botley.

Tests were expected to be completed today which may confirm the student was suffering from meningococcal infection, a severe form.

An incident control team of health experts and college staff has been formed and antibiotics have been given to close contacts of the student to reduce the risk of transmission.

A spokesman for the college said notices had been put up around the college warning students of the symptoms of meningitis. A telephone helpline has also been set up. She added that students were keeping calm.

The case is the third among students in the city in less than two weeks. A fourth student died from the illness last month.

Ten days ago a first-year hotel and catering student at Oxford Brookes University was struck down with meningitis. Within hours, a mature female student at Oxford College of Further Education was taken ill. Both women are now recovering.

The cases followed the death of Oxford Brookes engineering student Adam Prior.

Story date: Monday 08 March

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