A 15-year-old boy died in Monaghan town last night from meningococcal meningitis, one of a group of four young people being treated for the disease.
Another boy (12), living in the same area of the town, is in a "extremely serious" condition. He was transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin at about 6 p.m. yesterday.
Two other children are in Monaghan General Hospital. According to the North Eastern Health Board they are comfortable and their condition has still not been confirmed as meningitis. The boy who died and the boy transferred to Dublin were admitted within 24 hours of each other.
A health board spokeswoman confirmed there had been common contacts between the four cases. However, all contacts of each individual were being traced, she said.
Dr Rosaleen Corcoran, NEHB director of public health, said the public should be reassured that all necessary action had been taken. A helpline has been set up at Monaghan General Hospital at 04781811, ext 203. She said she was anxious not to cause undue alarm but urged parents to be vigilant.
Schools in the area are due to reopen this morning. The board, Dr Corcoran said, did not consider it necessary to keep children from school "but will keep the situation under review".
It is believed that three of the boys may have attended a disco last Friday night in Scotstown, north Monaghan. Guests at a New Year's Eve party in the family home of one of the boys have all been contacted and advised of precautionary measures.
Dr Corcoran said parents or others who may have concerns should contact their GP or go to the accident and emergency department of the nearest hospital. All GPs in the area have been contacted about the cases.
She said only those in close contact with the boys would require treatment. "Contacts are also being informed of the importance of early recognition of symptoms and the prompt need for medical attention. Information leaflets are being distributed to contacts and will be given to schools tomorrow."
She urged parents and others to watch out for signs of meningitis. These include flu-like symptoms, a temperature or feeling unwell, rapid deterioration, fever, vomiting, severe headaches, neck stiffness, aversion to bright lights and drowsiness. The rash which is a feature of the disease is characterised "by tiny red pin-prick marks on the skin, developing later into large purple bruise-like marks.
"If a rash appears, medical advice should be sought immediately," said Dr Corcoran, adding that babies may also suffer fretfulness, refuse feeds and be irritable when handled.
The germ which causes bacterial meningitis lives in the nose and at the back of the throat in about 10 per cent of the population. One has to be in regular close family contact with a carrier to be at risk, and few people coming into contact with a carrier of meningitis will develop the disease. The bacteria is spread by coughing, sneezing and kissing.