A 19-year-old university student has died from meningitis just hours after developing symptoms of the disease.

Adam Prior, a first-year engineering student at the Oxford Brookes university, called 999 when he felt unwell at his halls of residence on Saturday morning. He was taken to the John Radcliffe hospital, where his condition deteriorated. He died later in the afternoon.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust said a crew was called by Mr Prior. He complained of a headache, and had also carried out a test for meningitis, pressing a glass on to his arm and finding that spots on his skin did not fade.

The university authorities are now implementing an action plan, prepared with Oxfordshire health authority, to deal with the disease. Antibiotics have been issued to all those who were in close contact with Mr Prior. The 550 students living in the halls of residence have been sent letters reminding them about the symptoms.

A meeting was held for students yesterday morning and a helpline - 0500 484004 - opened for students, staff, family and friends.

Helen Evans, public relations manager at the university, said this case was thought to be an isolated one. No further outbreaks had been reported. 'This is the only case that we have at this stage, but the public health authority is advising students to be alert to the symptoms of meningitis,' she said. 'The advice from Oxfordshire health authority is that anyone who has any symptoms should contact their GP.'

Graham Upton, the university's vice chancellor, said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this student and our deepest sympathy goes to them.'

Health officials said yesterday there had been no new cases of meningitis in the past three days connected with the recent outbreak in South Wales.