Meningitis advice from Oxford student who had infection

Matt Woolford, 25, was in his first year at Oxford Brookes University in October 2019 when he tested positive for meningococcal-meningitis and septicaemia.

It was confirmed yesterday (Thursday, May 14) that three meningococcal (meningitis) cases have been discovered in young people in Reading this week.

Mr Woolford, who is from Reading, described the recent outbreak as “more tragic and frankly unnecessary news” as he believes there is enough understanding and preventative measures already in place.

However, he advices pupils to “not worry”.

He added: “There could be heightened anxiety, but I can’t imagine the risk is any higher, in the same way the risk is no higher me driving my car on a day there was an accident earlier nearby.”

Henley College. (Image: Google Maps)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said one of the three, who was studying at Oxfordshire’s Henley College, has since died.

The two other pupils, who attend Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre in Reading, are being treated, according to the UKHSA.

People who have been in close contact are being offered precautionary antibiotics and information on the symptoms.

Symptoms of meningitis (stock photo). (Image: PA)

He said students should stay vigilant of themselves and their friends and to contact the NHS on 111 or online if t worried about symptoms, including vomiting, a headache or confusion.

He said: “Being sick out of the blue is rarely normal without explanation like food poisoning, at least for me.

“111 exists to be called to triage you. What’s the harm in calling or going online to see what the advice says.

“Even if one person finds out they’re more ill than they thought, it’s worth it.”

He welcomed Reading University’s announcement to contact its students but added students should be proactively made more aware of the demographic risk.

READ MORE: One dead after UK infection outbreak: All we know so far

He said: “Meningitis is a lot more prevalent amongst students and deserves more awareness than I think it has.

“I think universities are beginning to do more because of the continued frequency of these events, but I don’t think enough is being done.”

“Most information campaigns feel as though they are reactive to events like this, not proactive in preventing them”, he added.

He advises students to get vaccinated or check with their GP that there are two doses on record.

UKHSA said the risk to the wider public “remains low” and added that one of the cases has been confirmed as Meningitis B, while test results for the other cases have not yet come through.