Student dies after meningitis treatment as UKHSA traces contacts in Reading schools

A sixth-form student from Henley College in Oxfordshire has died after being treated for meningitis in hospital in Reading, prompting health officials to trace close contacts and offer precautionary antibiotics to people linked to the case. The UK Health Security Agency said two other students are also being treated for meningococcal infection at separate schools in Reading, as it works to contain the outbreak.

The student, Lewis Waters, died in the intensive care unit, his father Sean Waters said in a tribute posted on social media. He said that within hours of feeling ill, Lewis developed sepsis and was taken to intensive care, adding that the family is “absolutely devastated.” Lewis was described by his family as “funny, sociable” and “kind hearted,” and they said he was particularly close to his sisters, friends and wider family.

UKHSA said the two other cases involve pupils at Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre. Officials reported that they have identified a social network connecting Lewis and the other young people. Close contacts linked to all three cases have been offered antibiotics as a precaution, while information about...