A HEALTH watchdog today called for all GPs to carry penicillin for the immediate treatment of meningitis in the home.

Burnley Community Health Council chairman Frank Clifford made his appeal as it was revealed a youngster from Burnley was the latest child to be struck down in a suspected case of the killer disease.

East Lancashire Health Authority was notified of the case on Tuesday and the youngster is receiving treatment at Burnley General Hospital.

It is the 20th suspected case of the killer virus to hit East Lancashire since Christmas Eve - nine of them in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Coun Clifford said the CHC had campaigned for three years for family doctors to carry anti-biotics for the treatment of meningitis as a matter of course.

He said he was aware of one very poorly child in East Lancashire whose life was recently saved by penicillin injection at home.

"We believe it is vital that all GPs carry supplies for immediate treatment, but we understand not all doctors do so." No East Lancashire Health authority was available to comment on the authority's position on the issue but Colne GP Robert Phillips said although he could not speak for all doctors, he felt it was now standard practice for GPs to carry penicillin.

He added he believed it was important they did so and injected when it was clear they were dealing with a meningitis case.

Of the 20 cases of suspected meningitis, 14 are of pre-school age, one at primary school, two at secondary school and three adults.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph meningitis helpline number is 0990 446644. Enter selection 8219.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.