THE chief executive of the Meningitis Trust has urged medical staff to "trust parental instincts" after the tragic death of a little girl from Great Sutton.

Her comments came as an inquest learned three GPs had failed to spot that five-year-old Ellie-Jo Ellesmere had the virus.

She suffered a fit and was rushed to hospital in Chester but died the next day, March 19, 2010, at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Sue Davie, chief executive of the Trust, said: “This story is utterly heartbreaking.

"Our thoughts are with Ellie-Jo’s family at this incredibly difficult time and we will be here for her family and friends for as long as they need us.

"The rash commonly associated with meningitis doesn’t appear in all cases, so it is vital people are aware of other symptoms and medical staff must trust parental instincts.

"As this family’s experience shows, meningitis is a devastating disease which can strike in minutes and kill within hours.

"And although it can affect anyone of any age, babies and children under five are most at risk, with over 50% of cases occurring in this age range.

"It’s often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ and is the disease parents fear the most."

She said signs and symptoms of meningitis are very similar to flu and will present in any order: "Meningitis requires urgent medical help and anything that delays this could result in death as we have tragically seen with Ellie-Jo."

Coroner for Cheshire Nicholas Rheinberg recorded a narrative verdict, giving pneumococcal meningoencephalitis as cause of death.

For meningitis advice, click the link below, call the Trust freephone 24-hour nurse-staffed helpline on 0800 028 18 28, or download a free iPhone app at www.meningitisapp.com