A PARENT has become the fourth person in the north of Scotland to contract meningitis in connection with a trip to a Scout jamboree in Japan.

Health Protection Scotland previously confirmed three boys had caught the disease on the trip and the parent of another Scout who also travelled to Japan has now also taken ill.

The patient has been admitted to hospital for treatment.

HPS said that a small number of people have been given antibiotics and vaccination as a precautionary measure.

A further case has been confirmed in Sweden, with two more possible cases being looked into.

Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist and chair of the HPS incident team said: "This patient is a close contact of a Scout who recently attended the jamboree.

"They followed the advice given and when they began to feel unwell, contacted medical services and were rapidly assessed and received prompt antibiotic treatment. This treatment continues in hospital."