Meningitis Alert After University Student Dies

ANTIBIOTICS were today being given to friends of a Liverpool University student who died of meningitis.

John Paul Godfrey, 19, a second year geography student from Aintree, was found dead in his room on Saturday, just two hours after tellin g friends he felt unwell.

As students on his course arrived for lectures today they were being warned to be extra vigilant.

All his close friends were being given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.

Hugh Lamont, from the North West Health Protection Agency, said: “Meningitis does not spread easily.

“Around one person in nine will carry it in their throat harmlessly. There is no wide risk.

“We will be giving students information and symptoms to look out for. “Help and advice will also be made available on the university website.

“The only students who will require antibiotics are those who had close contact.”

John Paul’s body was found in his room in Daulby Street on Saturday.

A university spokesman added: “The university is extremely saddened by this news. We shall do all we can to support the family.”

John Paul’s family in Aintree were too upset to talk today.

Meningococcal infection can cause meningitis (inflammation of the brain) or septicaemia (blood poisoning).

The disease is fatal in 5-10% of cases