Three children die of meningitis

Three very young children in Suffolk have died after contracting meningitis, a health agency has said.

A Health Protection Agency (HPA) spokesman said two of the youngsters, from the Ipswich area, died over the last few days.

The third death happened about three weeks ago.

Suffolk health officials are now in a state of "heightened alertness", said Dr Torbjorn Sundkvist, HPA consultant in communicable disease control.

He added: "We tend to see an increase in meningococcal infection at this time of year and it's important that people everywhere, especially parents of young children, are aware of the signs and symptoms."

The symptoms of meningitis include a severe headache, raised temperature, difficulty or pain when looking at light, neck stiffness, vomiting, a rash of red-purple spots which does not fade when pressed, drowsiness or confusion and joint pains.

If people are concerned about the symptoms displayed by a family member, they should seek medical advice from their GP or phone NHS Direct.