A 12-year-old girl is being treated for meningococcal meningitis in Tullamore hospital, Co Offaly, while two other suspected cases are being examined. The three children are among four girls - two pairs of sisters - who have been admitted to the hospital since Friday. In one case meningitis has been ruled out.
The girl with the confirmed case of the disease is from Tyrellspass, Co Westmeath. The Midlands Health Board said yesterday she was "doing well" and a hospital spokeswoman said last night there had been no change in her condition. She was admitted to the hospital after becoming ill on Friday, the same day as another girl from Rahan, Co Offaly, was also admitted with suspected meningitis.
The disease has since been ruled out in her case.
It is understood that sisters of both girls were brought to the hospital early on Monday morning. Both were still being examined for suspected meningitis yesterday.
The health board advised parents and the public to be vigilant, but there was no cause for panic. An increase in meningococcal meningitis was normal in winter, but a board source said the number of cases of the disease countrywide had increased in the past two years. He said this might be due to improved reporting, but it was in line with a rise in meningitis in Britain.
The bacteria are spread between people by coughing, sneezing and kissing, the board said. They cannot survive long outside the body and cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools, buildings or factories.
The symptoms to look out for are severe headache, severe sleepiness or confusion, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, throwing up repeatedly and fever.
In the case of meningitis blood poisoning or septicaemia, the symptoms are a rash which starts as tiny red pin-prick marks and develops into purple bruises or blood blisters; very cold hands and feet; rapid breathing; loss of consciousness; pains in the limbs, joints, muscles and stomach; difficulty walking or standing; throwing up repeatedly and fever.
Not all the signs and symptoms may be present, said the board's director of public health, Dr Pat Doorley. He said people who suspected meningitis should call their GP immediately, and where a GP was not immediately available, they should go to the nearest hospital casualty department.
A 15-year-old Monaghan boy, Kieran McGahon, died from meningococcal meningitis a week ago. His neighbour, Colm Maher (12) was still being treated for the disease last night at Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin. His condition was described as "stable, but still ill".
