Teenager dies of meningitis

Saturday 28 December 1996 00:02 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A 14-year-old girl has died from suspected meningitis and another teenager and a baby from the same area of the North-East are being treated in hospital, it was disclosed yesterday.

Donna Thomson of Oxclose, Washington, Tyne and Wear, died in the intensive care unit of Newcastle General Hospital on Christmas Eve, a day after being found seriously ill by her parents. She was thought to have been suffering from the meningococcal strain, the disease's most serious form.

The other cases which have come to light on Wearside are an unnamed 16 year old girl from the Shiney Row area, near Washington, and a baby from Southwick, Sunderland.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

Teenager dies of meningitis

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering