A school has moved to reassure parents after a member of staff contracted meningitis.

Mascalls Academy in Paddock Wood revealed a member of teaching staff had been hospitalised with bacterial meningitis and septicaemia "in the last 24 hours".

The school has moved quickly to reassure parents and staff, stating "additional outbreaks are highly unlikely".

Students are being briefed on the case today, while any pupils who shared a classroom with the male teacher are being warned separately of potential symptoms.

In a statement the school wrote: "We have been notified that a member of the Mascalls teaching staff has been hospitalised in the last 24 hours with bacterial meningitis and septicaemia.

"As you will appreciate this is a serious condition and as a result the school has taken medical advice and notified the various authorities so that they are aware of the outbreak.

"Firstly it is important to reassure you that additional outbreaks are highly unlikely as the
condition is generally passed in saliva.

"As a result it is normally only immediate family and partners that need to be seen by doctors and vaccinated.

"For the wider school population we have been advised that no specific precautions are
necessary but it is essential that everyone is aware of the symptoms and they seek immediate medical advice should they experience them."

The school is running as normal.

The most common form of meningitis is meningococcal disease, with up to 1,300 reported cases each year in the UK, leaving patients with meningitis and septicaemia often happen together. Be aware of all the signs and symptoms.

Parents have been invited to contact the school with any concerns.

Symptoms for meningitis include:

• Fever, cold hands and feet
• Vomiting
• Drowsy, difficult to wake
• Confusion and irritability
• Severe muscle pain
• Pale, blotchy skin. Spots/rash (checked by the glass test)
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Dislike bright lights
• Convulsions/seizures

For more information on signs, symptoms and treatments, click here.