Statement from The Henley College

The Henley College can confirm that one of its students sadly passed away earlier this week.

Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the student’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

We are supporting those affected within our college community and are following the advice and guidance given by the UK Health Security Agency.

Out of respect for the family, we will not be providing further detail at this time.

 

Information provided by the UK Health Security Agency 

Important Meningococcal Disease Information Following a Case at The Henley College 

You may have heard the very sad news that a student at The Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease.  

Meningococcal disease happens when a bacteria (germ) enters the body. This germ can cause swelling around the brain, called meningitis. The germ can get into blood, called septicaemia. Both can be very serious if not treated early. 

Meningococcal disease does not spread easily in schools/colleges so the risk to students at the college is very low. There is no reason for you to make any change in the college routine and no reason for students to be kept at home. 

As a precaution, students who were on the same course as this individual are being offered preventative antibiotics. We have been informed that you are not on the same course as this individual, therefore you are not recommended to have Antibiotics. 

 

What you should do 

Students and staff can attend college as normal. Meningococcal disease cannot spread easily to other people. You do not need antibiotics. 

Students, staff and parents should be alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.  

 

You should seek medical help if you are sick with these symptoms: 

• High temperature  

• Quick breathing 

• Vomiting (sickness)  

• Pain in their arms and legs 

• Headache  

• Confusion 

• Stiff neck  

• Being very sleepy or difficult to wake 

• Dislike of bright lights  

• Seizures or fits 

• Rash  

• Diarrhoea (soft or liquid poo) 

 

Call your GP or NHS 111 if you have concerns. If you are very unwell and need urgent help call 999 for an ambulance. 

 

How to protect yourself 

The best way to protect yourself is with free NHS vaccines (injections). It is not too late to catch up missed vaccines. To check if you had all your vaccines, you can: 

• Look in your red book (health record) 

• Call your GP to check and book an appointment to catch up 

The vaccines don’t protect from all types (strains) of this bacteria. The free NHS vaccines protect from the most important strain types, including: 

• Strain B – this is the most common type, causing 4 out of every 5 cases. Babies born on or after the 1st May 2015 were offered this vaccine on the NHS. Most people born before this date will not have been offered the Strain B vaccine. For more information see the Men B vaccine factsheet.  

• Strains A, C, W and Y – these types used to be more common, but the vaccine keeps the number of cases very low. Teenagers are given this vaccine at school, but can be caught if you missed this up to the age of 25 years. For more information see the Men ACWY vaccine factsheet. 

 

About meningococcal disease

For more information, visit the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/.

Or visit Meningitis Now  https://www.meningitisnow.org/meningitis-explained/types-ofmeningitis/meningococcal-disease/ this website has accessibility tools.