Brad Pitt released from hospital with viral meningitis

LOS ANGELES - Film star Brad Pitt was released on Wednesday from a Los Angeles hospital where he had been admitted for a flu-like illness that turned out to be viral meningitis, his spokeswoman said.

Pitt, 41, was at home after his discharge and was "doing well," his publicist said in a statement.

The actor checked in to Cedars Sinai Medical Center on Monday night, a week after returning from a trip to East Africa.

His spokeswoman, Cindy Guagenti, said that the actor was undergoing tests but was believed to be suffering from the flu. After his release, her office issued a statement saying Pitt "was diagnosed with a mild case of viral meningitis."

No further information about his condition was offered.

Viral meningitis is an illness that involves inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord. It is generally regarded as serious but is rarely fatal in persons with normal immune systems.

Pitt, who split up with his wife, actress Jennifer Aniston, earlier this year, travelled to Ethiopia last week with actress Angelina Jolie, his co-star in the movie "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," who went there to finalise the adoption of a baby girl.

- REUTERS