Boy, four, dies from meningitis

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A four-year-old boy from Barmouth in Gwynedd has died from meningitis in hospital.

Harry Smith was transferred to Manchester from Wrexham Maelor Hospital on Thursday and died later that day.

National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHSW) said Harry probably died from meningococcal septicaemia.

Close contacts of the boy who required medication have been treated. Parents at Ysgol y Traeth where Harry was a pupil have also been given information.

A NPHSW spokesman said the medication was not to prevent the disease in the individual being treated, but to prevent the spread of infection among close family contacts.

The youngster only started at the reception class of the school last month and was a nursery pupil there last year.

Heartfelt sympathy

Headmaster Ywain Myfyr said: "It was a very sad day at the school when we heard of the tragic news of the death of one of the pupils.

"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family at this time and especially to his sister Saffron who is also a pupil at the school.

"All our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time," added Mr Myfyr.

Harry lived with his father Jason and sister Saffron, eight, in Barmouth. His mother Helen Gilbert lives in Fairbourne, Gwynedd.

According to the National Public Health Service for Wales, meningococcal disease can affect anyone at any time.

They said it was important to be aware of the symptoms, which include headache, fever, drowsiness, vomiting, neck stiffness, and possibly a red rash which does not fade when pressed by a glass tumbler.