SEVEN people have died of meningitis in the Southern Health Board area within the past two years, a report released by the board has shown. The ages of those who died ranged from one to 24.
In 1989, according to the report, one person in the SHB area died of meningitis; in 1990 there were six deaths; in 1991 two in 199 three; and in 1993 one.
Laboratory-confirmed tests for the years 1992-95 in the SHB region gave the following results: 1992, 22 cases (4.1 per cent per 100,000 population); 1993 25 cases, (4.7 per cent); 1994, 28 cases (5.3 per cent); and 1995, 50 cases (9.4 per cent). A further breakdown of the statistics showed that in Cork city (population 127,253), there were 14 cases in 1995. In the Cork county area (population 283,116), there were 23 cases, while in Co Kerry (population 121,894), 13 cases of meningitis were reported.
The illness was most prevalent in the January/March period of last year, when 20 cases were reported. Between April and June, 14 cases were recorded while in July/September and October/December eight cases were reported in each period. Over half the cases, or 52 per cent, were in children under five years.
The SHB said when a case is notified immediate steps are taken to heighten public awareness about signs and symptoms, and public health doctors are asked to distribute leaflets to parents and families.
"If a schoolchild is involved leaflets are distributed to principals, teachers and classmates. A quarterly infectious disease newsletter is used to inform GPs and hospital consultants, etc, with regular updates on cases in the area.
"In January/February each year (usually when incidence increases) a specific letter is sent to each GP and relevant consultant with regard to the epidemiological profile.
"In January and July, the Southern Health Board public health doctors make contact with paediatric and neurology wards, where possible, to brief staff regarding procedures to be followed when a case occurs. Health promotion unit leaflets on meningitis are available in all health centres and are distributed widely by public health doctors and public health nurses.
This year, extra activities have included: issuing press releases to local and national newspapers as well as radio and television; giving information on the incidence as well as signs and symptoms of meningitis; letters to all GPs both public and private; contact with all relevant consultants and junior doctors; leaflet distribution to pharmacies; communication with pre-schools and creches; and communication with third-level education institutions, including student health advisers, student unions, and campus radio," the report said.
Dr Liz Keane, the SHB's director of public health, said yesterday it was recognised in western Europe that the disease was most common during winter and spring, and that its prevalence tended to increase when respiratory infections were also on the increase due to seasonal factors.
Between 10 and 25 per cent of the population carried the meningococcus bacteria in their throats, she added, but for the vast majority of people this caused no problem. It was thought the disease was spread by "kissing contact" or where there was close contact and interaction between people.