A baby suspected to have meningitis was today recovering in hospital.

The 18-month-old child was taken to Basildon Hospital with a rash and high temperature. The results of tests to establish whether it is meningitis are being awaited.

A Primary Care Trust spokesman said: "The child is responding extremely well to treatment.

"We have had a thorough investigation and all close contacts have been identified and given precautionary antibiotics."

A doctor was called out to see the baby to a travellers' site in the Basildon district late on Thursday evening.

Published Wednesday January 28, 2004

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