PARENTS were today put on meningitis red alert after ten suspected cases of the deadly brain bug were reported over the Christmas and New Year period.

They included the death of 13-month-old Ethan Smith, of Mosley Street, Blackburn, who died after developing meningococcal septicaemia, the more serious blood poisoning strain of the disease.

Nine other suspected cases were reported to public health officials at East Lancashire Health Authority between December 23 and yesterday .

Dr Stephen Morton, the area's director of public health, said there was no link between any of the cases. Seven of the victims were pre-schoolchildren, one was aged five and was an adult. They have all been treated in hospital..

Three cases, including baby Ethan, were from Blackburn and Darwen, two each were from Rossendale, Burnley and Padiham and one was from Hyndburn.

Dr Morton said laboratory tests had confirmed that two of the cases were definitely meningitis.

He said: "It has been very busy with suspected meningitis cases. Apart from the one death, the other people have all been treated in hospital and seem to be doing well. "Some of the children were admitted to hospital displaying viral conditions, rashes and other meningitis symptoms and were treated for the disease as a precaution."

Dr Morton said the number of meningitis cases was higher than normal and compared with nine cases for the whole of December a couple of years ago.

The rise in cases mirrors a number of high profile meningitis outbreaks across the country.

A spokeswoman for the National Meningitis Trust said: "The end of December and beginning of January are peak times for the disease. This is due to increased coughing and sneezing with people generally congregating together in enclosed environments aiding transmission of the bacteria from one person to another."

She said it was vital that parents sought immediate medical help if their children started to show symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms of meningococcal septicaemia include fever, vomiting, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, aching muscles or joints, diarrhoea and a red pin-prick rash which will not face under the pressure of a glass tumbler.

Symptoms of meningitis include headaches, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and drowsiness.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph's meningitis helpline can be contacted on 0990 446644. Enter selection 8219.Calls are charged at normal rates.

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