Meningitis cases can be proved ‘within an hour’

Scientists have come up with a new test that can identify potential cases of meningitis in a fraction of the current time.

Standard tests for meningococcal disease – which can lead to meningitis and blood poisoning – can take up to 48 hours for results to come back.

But a new diagnostic tool created by experts at Queen’s University Belfast and The Belfast Trust can provide results within an hour.

Researchers said the test could prevent children with meningococcal disease being wrongly sent home – potentially saving dozens of lives.

It could also prevent children being admitted for treatment unnecessarily.