Three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) have been found in young people in Reading, according the UK Health Security Agency (UKSA).

The agency said one young person has died.

“Sadly, one of the individuals has died and our thoughts and condolences are with their friends and family.”

The other two cases are receiving treatment in hospital.

People who have come into close contact with the three meningitis cases are being offered antibiotics “as a precaution”, and information about meningitis symptoms has been passed to students and parents at “all affected schools”.

UKSA said the risk to the wider public “remains low”.

The agency said one of the cases has been confirmed as Meningitis B, while test results for the other cases have not yet come through.

Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection, said: 

“We understand that many people will be affected by this sad news and would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of this student. 

“Students and staff will naturally be feeling worried about the likelihood of further cases, however meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks as we saw in Kent recently, are thankfully rare.

“We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases. Meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the wider public remains low. 

“Anyone can get meningitis, and around 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease are diagnosed in England every year. It’s most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults. It needs to be treated quickly so it is important to know the signs and symptoms. They can appear in any order and may not all be present, so seek rapid medical attention if there is ever any concern.

“Signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and sepsis can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Sepsis can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass.”

UKSA said young people should check that they are up to date with their vaccinations.

Early symptoms of meningitis such as vomiting, fever, aches, muscle pain, cold hands and feet and headaches – can look similar to common illnesses like colds or flu, but someone with meningitis or septicaemia will usually become seriously ill in a matter of hours.

Early recognition of meningitis and sepsis symptoms can greatly improve the outcome of the disease, and so anyone concerned about any of these symptoms, at any time, should contact their GP, call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency.

Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not happen at all. For meningitis, common signs and symptoms include:

• fever
• a very bad headache (this alone is not a reason to get medical help)
• vomiting
• stiff neck
• dislike of bright lights
• rash
• confusion, delirium
• severe sleepiness, losing consciousness
• fits 

UKSA said their specialists are working closely with local authority and NHS partners in Reading following the discovery of the three cases.

Charlotte Young, of Griffin Lane, Aylesbury, was sentenced to three years in jail at Amersham Crown Court on Friday, May 8, after pleading guilty to two counts of theft by employee.

The 45-year-old worked as treasurer and accountant for the Long Crendon Community Social Club and Long Crendon Village Association, when she stole thousands of pounds from their accounts.

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She took more than £125,600 from the social club’s account and nearly £29,500 from the village association.

Charlotte Young, 45, was jailed for three years for fraud after stealing £150k from the charities (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Young was arrested on October 19, 2023, and charged two years later, on October 21, 2025.

Detective constable with the Thames Valley Police, Stephanie Mason of the central fraud unit, said: “Young had a previous conviction for fraud and went on to commit further offences in a similar manner, evidently believing she would evade detection.

“These offences spanned an eight-year period and had a significant impact on a community that had dedicated their time and effort to raising funds for charitable causes.

“The custodial sentence imposed is, in my view, wholly appropriate and serves as a clear reminder that such actions carry serious consequences.”

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The Long Crendon Village Association works to preserve the heritage and create a ‘sustainable future’ for the small village in Buckinghamshire, which is just over the Oxfordshire border from Thame.

Long Crendon community centre, where the social group and association are based (Image: Wikimedia Commons / Paul Shreeve)

The police’s central fraud unit detective inspector Duncan Wynn said: “I am pleased with this conviction which comes after Young pleaded guilty following a thorough and extensive investigation by DC Stephanie Mason and the Buckinghamshire Fraud Team.

“The sentence reflects the severity of the offences whereby Young systematically exploited the position of trust she was placed into and stole over £150,000 of money which was raised by the community for charitable purposes.

“These selfish acts have left a huge whole in much needed community funds.

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“Young showed complete disregard for this and covered her tracks well enough to be able to live a lavish lifestyle on these ill-gotten gains for eight years.

“I hope that the sentence imposed will act as a deterrent to others and demonstrate our commitment to pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice on behalf of victims.

“Thames Valley Police will use all proceeds of crime powers available to ensure as much of the stolen money as possible can be returned to the victim and will ensure Young is stripped of any assets and financial benefit she acquired using stolen funds.”

This follows expert independent advice that the deal represents a sound long-term investment for taxpayers, while creating conditions to accelerate regeneration in a strategically important part of the city centre.

County council bosses say this also supports a consistent approach to redeveloping the west end of the city, sitting alongside the reimagining of County Hall as a hotel, and wider redevelopment under way around the railway station.

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In 2005, the council decided to sell a long-term lease for Castle Quarter to enable major investment in a site that had previously operated as a prison for many decades.

That investment transformed the site and brought new activity into the city centre. Since then, the mix of uses at Castle Quarter gradually evolved until the site was snapped up by the Westgate Oxford Alliance in 2016.

While some elements, including Malmaison Oxford hotel, continue to perform strongly, others offer scope for further investment, according to the council, particularly given the site’s location close to the railway station, and Westgate Oxford.

County councillor Dan Levy (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

Dan Levy, the county council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “This is an exciting moment for Oxford city centre, but it is not a decision the council has taken lightly. We have carried out thorough due diligence and sought expert advice to make sure the risks to the taxpayers and the county council are low while the prospects for real benefits are high.

“When the opportunity arose to purchase the lease, we looked closely at the financial, legal and commercial implications. The clear conclusion was that returning the lease to the county council as the existing freeholder was the right decision, with good prospects for both the city centre and public funds.”

As existing freeholder of Castle Quarter, the council took the opportunity to purchase the lease when it became available.

Following careful consideration and having taken advice from legal, financial and property experts, it was determined that the deal represented “an exceptional opportunity”.

Malmaison Oxford hotel at Oxford Castle Quarter (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Mr Levy added: “Combined with the transformation currently under way in and around the railway station, this creates an opportunity to refresh and boost the Castle Quarter and support positive change to the western approach to the city centre.

“The site is very close to Westgate, the city centre attractions, the railway station and the new hotel that will replace County Hall. The ingredients for success are clear to see and there is excitement about the change that can now begin to be delivered.

“We are operating in a challenging financial environment and so it’s really important the council makes prudent, well evidenced decisions.

“This decision allows the county council and a successor council or councils after local government reorganisation to influence very positive change in the city centre while delivering a strong financial return to support the delivery of frontline services.”

Oxford Castle Quarter (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Castle Quarter features Oxford Castle & Prison, Malmaison Oxford, Kelpie Coffee, Namaste Village Oxford, The Slug and Lettuce, the Swan & Castle, and The Key Learning Centre.

In February, it was announced that Oxford Unwrapped is preparing to bring four new visitor attractions to empty units at the site off New Road,

The Trevor Osborne Property Group developed and owned Oxford Castle Quarter from its opening in May 2006 until 2016.

It’s the 20th anniversary of a visit by the Queen who arrived to welcome the relaunch of the Castle Quarter.

The site was then purchased by the Westgate Oxford Alliance (a joint venture between Landsec and The Crown Estate) for £47.2m in 2016.

Oxford Castle Quarter went on the market last year for offers in excess of £30m.

A £60m scheme to transform County Hall buildings into a stunning boutique hotel is being led by Reef Origin, which previously converted the former Boswells department store into The Store hotel.