MENINGITIS cases in Sussex have reached record levels.

Nine people have been struck down with the killer bug across the county so far this year, according to new figures.

In the Brighton, Hove and Lewes area, there were six cases in January alone, nearl a third of the total for the whole of 1998.

The statistics were unveiled as experts, baffled by the South Wales outbreak, warned the country is in the grip of a 50-year meningitis peak.

Now public health chiefs are urging parents and youngsters to be extra vigilant in looking out for signs of the disease.

Dr Angela Iversen, consultant in communicable disease control at East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, said: "The total so far is high, and is about the same as our worst ever year, which was 1997.

"If you look back on the figures, they started to rise a few years ago, but the worst one was 1997, and it stayed bad last year, but not that bad."

Dr Iversen added that one case diagnosed this year was of virulent meningitis C2A, the strain being blamed for the spate of cases in Pontypridd.

Amass vaccination of 1,700 pupils and staff at two schools in the South Wales town was under way yesterday after the death toll rose to three.

Another victim, a 15-year-old boy, was still in a critical condition, and six others were being treated in hospital.

East Sussex has seen six cases so far since the New Year, and in West Sussex there have been three. Overall, there were around 50 local diagnoses throughout 1998.

The Argus reported last month how a Brighton nursery was hit by a scare when worker Kerry Hemsley was diagnosed with the disease.

Soon afterwards, four-year-old Newhaven boy Trevor Fryer died after falling ill.

Last night, a 20-year-old Sussex University French exchange student, admitted to the Royal Sussex County Hospital last Friday, was still in a serious condition.

Telltale signs of meningitis include:

High fever.

Aversion to bright light.

Severe headache.

A rash which may not disappear when pressed with a glass.

Flu-like symptoms.

Vomiting.

Drowsiness.

For more information, call the Meningitis 24-hour support line on 0845 6000 800.

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