Heartbreak (From Penarth Times)

Heartbreak

THE parents of a Dinas Powys toddler who died of meningitis have spoken of their heartbreak at losing the "light of their life".

Three-year-old Joe Davies died on March 13 after being admitted to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

His father Mike Davies said: "Joe was the light of our life. He was our world, our everything and now he has gone. Meningitis is something that just takes people."

More than 400 people attended the little boy's funeral service at St Mary's Church in Wenvoe last Friday.

Mike added: "I would like to thank everyone who came to the service."

Everyone who had been in close contact with Joe was identified and given antibiotics to help prevent any possible spread of the disease.

But a spokesman for the National Public Health Service for Wales said people should be aware that cases of meningococcal disease are nearly always isolated, and there is no increased risk to the community.

"There is still no vaccine against group B meningitis, and cases continue to occur sporadically," added the spokesman.

"Meningoccal disease can affect anyone at any time."

Symptoms include headache, fever, drowsiness, vomiting, a dislike of light, stiff neck with possible arching of the back, and possibly a red rash which does not fade when pressed by a glass tumbler.