The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said parents must not panic over a suspected outbreak of meningitis in Suffolk – but should remain vigilant.

The Press Association reports that three children from the Ipswich area have died from the infection – an 18-month-old baby died on 14 December and two more young children who are thought to have played together died on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

In a move to reassure parents, Health Protection Unit disease control consultant Dr Torbjorn Sundkvist said that the public health doctor would contact any parents whose children might require antibiotics after being in contact with a child suspected of having meningitis.

Dr Sundkvist 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.

‘Meningitis does not spread easily from one person to another, but we do occasionally see cases spread between close contacts such as family members.’

The chief executive of the charity Meningitis UK, Steve Dayman, lost his own son to the infection in 1992 and said that his heart went out to the families of the three youngsters who had died.

He added that meningitis was ‘notoriously difficult’ to diagnose because the symptoms were similar to those of flu and colds. Mr Dayman advised:

‘While it's important not to panic, people need to be alert to the disease's symptoms and act swiftly if they're concerned.’

More information about the disease is available at NHS Direct (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Meningitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx) and Meningitis UK (http://www.meningitis.uk.org).

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