A SIX-year-old boy from Highworth has died of suspected meningitis after being taken ill at his home on Friday morning.

Just after 9am, paramedics attended an address in Queens Avenue, after reports the boy was not breathing and might have suffered a heart attack.

CPR was carried out at the house before the boy was rushed to Great Western Hospital, but he was declared dead less than an hour later.

Police also attended the address and put up a cordon throughout the day, but at this stage they are not treating the death as suspicious.

After concerns were raised about the possibility of a meningococcal infection, the boy’s family and friends have been offered antibiotics.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “Police were contacted by the ambulance service at 9.15am on Friday, December 19, to reports of a child not breathing at a house in Queen’s Avenue, Highworth, Swindon.

“Police and ambulance attended and a six-year-old boy was treated at the scene and taken to GWH.

“Sadly, the boy was declared dead at approximately 10.05am.

“A scene cordon has been put in place at the property and police are in the process of informing the next of kin.

“The cause of death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.”

A spokesman for the South Western Ambulance Service said: “We responded to a possible cardiac arrest at Queens Avenue in Highworth at 9.07am to one male casualty.”

Officials from Public Health England have expressed their condolences to the family of the young boy but are reassuring the community that the risk of the infection spreading is being minimised.

Dr Toyin Ejidokun, the consultant in communicable disease control for the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Public Health England Centre, said: “We are sad to hear about the death of a child from suspected meningococcal infection and wish to reassure parents that all necessary contact tracing and control procedures are being undertaken.

“Children who have attended the same class or have spent a short amount of time with the child are not classified as close contacts.

“PHE wish to reassure all concerned that apart from the very close contacts who are due to receive antibiotics, there is no need for a wider group of children to take antibiotics.

“The best advice still remains for parents to be alert to the symptoms of meningococcal disease such as vomiting, severe headache, unexplained temperature rise, dislike of bright lights, neck stiffness, a non-blanching rash, drowsiness, and altered levels of consciousness.

“If anyone is feeling unusually unwell, and displaying the symptoms they should contact their GP immediately or call 111.”

Dr Ayoola Oyinloye, a Swindon Borough Council public health consultant, said: “We pass our sincerest condolences to the family at this tragic time.

“It is important to emphasise that the risk of this suspected case spreading to others is extremely low. We reassure people, particularly parents who may be feeling concerned, that all necessary actions are being taken to protect the public.”

Andy Hopkinson, of the charity Meningitis Now, said: "Everyone at Meningitis Now is saddened to hear of the death of this young boy from suspected meningococcal disease, and send their condolences to his family and friends.

"It would be unusual for there to be any further cases but if anyone has concerns please contact our helpline on 0808 80 10 388 or visit our website at www.meningitisnow.org for further information.

"Carry a signs and symptoms card, or download the phone app, to take the first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones and seek urgent medical help if you suspect anything."