A 15-year-old Keighley boy is in hospital after being diagnosed with meningitis.

The boy, who has not been named but attends Holy Family Catholic School in the town, is being treated at Airedale Hospital, Steeton.

Lawrence Bentley, head of the school in Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley, said the Year 11 pupil had displayed symptoms of meningitis and the school had acted accordingly.

“We issued a letter to all Year 11s, explaining to parents what had happened, reassuring them, and also reminding them of what symptoms to look out for,” he said.

Mr Bentley said all staff who are pregnant or who are trying for babies had also been spoken to.

He added: “We have heard that he is making good progress and he is definitely on the mend, so as far as we are aware it is panic over.”

Dr Ebere Okereke, consultant in communicable disease control at West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit, said: “We can confirm that a case of meningitis has been diagnosed in an individual who attends a Keighley secondary school.

“The patient concerned is recovering in hospital.

“We understand that parents are very concerned in these situations, but it’s important to be aware the organism that causes meningitis does not usually pass very easily from person to person.

“As a precautionary measure, any close contacts of the individual affected have been offered preventative antibiotic treatment to reduce further health risk.

“Information about the signs and symptoms of meningitis has also been given to all parents at the school.

“Early recognition of meningitis is important as the disease can develop very quickly.”