PUBLIC health chiefs have revealed that the incidence of meningitis in East Lancashire rose by 18 per cent last year - despite a national reduction in cases.

During 1997, 53 cases of the deadly disease were reported to East Lancashire Health Authority - eight more than the previous year. The increase came despite a 13 per cent fall in England and Wales between January and November.

There were 2,153 reported cases of bacterial meningitis in England and Wales, 333 fewer than the same period in 1996.

Dr Roberta Marshall, consultant in communicable disease control in East Lancashire, said there was no need for the public to panic.

She said: "We certainly do not have a situation which is out of control.

"I think everybody is sensitive to the meningitis infection at the moment. But I also think parents are taking their children to their GPs more readily.

"Of the 53 cases reported to us, some may not have actually been confirmed as the disease.

"Nobody wants to miss a diagnosis and I think there is currently a bias towards diagnosing meningitis."

For information on how to detect meningitis and what to do if you suspect someone has the symptoms, call the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Meningitis Helpline. Dial

0990 446644 and enter selection number 8219.

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