A fourth case of meningitis in an outbreak in Reading has been confirmed in a junior school pupil. The child is part of a group of students who have contracted Meningitis B (MenB).

West Berkshire Council said today that a pupil at Westwood Farm Junior School was diagnosed and is recovering well in hospital. It comes after, Lewis Waters, a sixth form student who attended The Henley College in Oxfordshire, died from the disease last week. The UK Health Security Agency (UHSA) has not given fuller details on what links the cases and confirmed close contacts linked to all four had been offered antibiotics as a precaution.

On Tuesday, Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “A fourth case of meningococcal disease has been confirmed in Reading.

“This fourth case has links with the same wider social network as the other cases, where measures, including antibiotic prophylaxis, have already been implemented.”

“The individual, who attends Westwood Farm Junior School, is recovering well. Information has been shared with parents and carers at the school to advise of the signs and symptoms to look out for.

“All four cases have been confirmed to be Meningitis B (MenB). The risk to the wider public remains low and this case is not linked to the incidents in Kent or Dorset.”

Lewis Waters was described by his family as “funny and kind hearted”.

Speaking in tribute Lewis’ dad Sean Waters wrote: “Words simply can’t describe the heartbreak and upset we’re going through.”

He said his son developed sepsis “within a few hours of feeling ill”.

“He fought hard and was really taken care of by the ICU team, but they just couldn’t save him,” he wrote.

“We are absolutely devastated”.

A statement from Henley College said its “thoughts and sincere condolences are with the student’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time”.

The college added: “We are supporting those affected within our college community and are following the advice and guidance given by the UKHSA.”