The Ministry of Health has been working with Public Health South to ensure meningococcal disease does not spread to other pupils at Mount Aspiring School.
About 120 parents attended a meeting at the school tonight, where principal Wayne Bosley and Southern District Health Board medical officer Dr Keith Reid answered concerns about the disease and its spread.
From tomorrow, all senior pupils will be offered a course of antibiotics which will kill the bacteria that causes the disease.
At any one time about 20% of the population carries the bacteria.
Earlier today, it was revealed a pupil who contracted meningococcal disease last week is expected to make a full recovery.
Bella Berry (17) was admitted to Dunedin Hospital with meningococcal disease and put into an induced coma on Monday last week.
In a statement released today her parents, Graham Berry and Carin Andresen, said Bella's condition had improved and she was expected to make a full recovery.
"We would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Dunedin Hospital for their care over the past eight days. In particular, we’d like to thank the nurses and doctors in ICU who have provided the best medical care we could ask for.
"We are forever grateful."
They thanked everyone who had sent messages of support to Bella and the family.
"What we’ve learned from this unfortunate experience is that it is important for us all to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek medical help if you are not well."
"Please remember to look out for your friends and family. Let’s take care of one another."
Tests have confirmed two Mount Aspiring College pupils have meningococcal disease.
A year 12 female pupil was taken to Christchurch Hospital on Sunday after displaying meningococcal like symptoms at the Aspiring Medical Centre in Wanaka, and a year 13 pupil has been in Dunedin Hospital since last Monday with the disease.
In a letter to parents, Mr Bosley said he had been advised by the Southern District Health Board to keep the school open.
Dr Reid said there was no information which supported the use of a vaccination, but it would be reviewed once the meningococcal strain the year 12 pupil had was known.
The year 13 pupil was infected with the type B strain. There is no vaccine for type B in New Zealand.
Antibiotics to eradicate bacteria from the nose and throat of pupils would be offered when needed, Dr Reid said.
