A 17-year-old girl has died in hospital in Denia after showing symptoms consistent with meningitis, health officials have confirmed.

Authorities say the teenager was admitted with signs ‘compatible with this illness’ but are still waiting on final microbiology results to confirm whether meningitis was the cause.

As a precaution, public health teams have already moved fast, activating emergency protocols and tracing everyone who had close contact with the girl.

Those identified are being given preventive antibiotic treatment to stop the possible spread of bacterial meningitis.

Health officials warn the disease is mainly passed through respiratory droplets, including coughing, sneezing or kissing.

The risk is higher in crowded indoor spaces or poorly ventilated areas.

The investigation remains ongoing as experts work to confirm the exact cause of death.

It follows two recent deaths from meningitis in Extremadura and Andalucia, involving another teen and a five-year-old respectively.

Concern over the disease has reached new heights following the ‘unprecedented’ outbreak in Kent in the UK this month, which has seen around 29 university students affected.

However, experts in Spain last week said there is no cause for alarm, with current cases remaining isolated and under control.