A total of 274 cases of bacterial meningitis were reported in the State last year, according to provisional figures issued yesterday. The figures indicate there were also 12 deaths from the disease in 2002.
While there are different strains, the vast majority of cases were caused by group B meningitis, for which there is no vaccine. Therefore, early detection and treatment is vital, the Meningitis Research Foundation said.
Just 14 cases of meningitis C identified were last year, and the fall in the incidence of this strain from 139 cases in 2000 is attributed to the availability of the meningitis C vaccine. There were no deaths from this strain last year. There had been three in 2001.
The Minister of State for Health and Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, gave the figures when he launched Meningitis Awareness Month, an initiative of the Meningitis Research Foundation which runs through February. He said total cases of meningitis had dropped by 122 last year. This was because the meningitis C vaccine had had a major impact.
However, take-up rates in some of the older age groups targeted by the meningitis C immunisation campaign were not as high as had been hoped, and he urged young adults in the 18-22 age group to get immunised against the disease.
Symptoms of meningitis which people should be vigilant for include rash, fever or vomiting, severe headache, stiff neck and dislike of bright lights.