Schoolgirls at a Dublin primary school have received emergency preventive medication after two of their classmates were rushed to hospital with meningitis.
One of the girls was discharged yesterday while the other was said to be responding well to treatment.
Both aged 11, they are in fifth class at St Vincent's national school in North William Street. The Eastern Health Board confirmed yesterday both had contracted meningococcal septacaemia.
The health board reminded people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of the disease, which include headache, vomiting, fever, widespread aches and pains and sore throat. Secondary-stage symptoms include sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, confusion or delirium.
Dr Lelia Thornton, a public health specialist with the health board, said "another important sign to watch out for is the development of a rash. This may start as just one or two tiny pinpoint spots or blotches anywhere on the body. The spots may turn into tiny bruises which don't turn white when touched."