A 19 YEAR OLD woman has died of meningitis in St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.
Two other cases of suspected meningitis, a 44 year old woman and a six month old baby, were reported in the Eastern Health Board (EHB) area last week. Both patients are recovering in hospital and there is no connection between the three cases, according to the EHB.
Meanwhile, the Western Health Board said yesterday an initial clinical diagnosis has shown that a two year old boy, declared dead on admission to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, on Monday, died as a result of meningococcal septicaemia.
This condition is caused by the same bacterium which causes meningitis, as was first suspected. Instead of affecting the brain, however, the bacterium affects the bloodstream, said a spokesman. The septicaemia condition is treated in a similar way as meningitis through, where possible, large doses of antibiotics.
Some 153 suspected cases of meningococcal meningitis were reported in the EHB areas of Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare last year. Twelve patients died from the disease.
Meningococcus is a common bacterium which is found in nearly 10 per cent of the population. It is carried in the nose and throat and usually causes no illness. The bacterium can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing or kissing. It is not highly infectious and prolonged close contact is required for transmission.
The EHB yesterday warned against undue alarm over the disease, the symptoms of influenza, such as headaches, vomiting, fever, widespread aches and pain, and a sore throat.
In cases of meningitis, however, these symptoms become more severe and patients suffer neck stiffness, delirium, drowsiness and even coma. An important symptom to watch out for is the development of a rash, which may start as a small pink spot and then develop into tiny bruises which do not turn white when touched. Patients with these signs are advised to contact their doctor immediately.
According to the EHB, no general vaccine is available to cover the three strains of meningococcal meningitis. The disease may occur at any age but is mainly found in children. In babies, parents are advised to watch out for symptoms such as going off their feed, irritability, a high pitched cry, vomiting, drowsiness and unresponsiveness.
Among the 31 cases of infectious disease notified to the EHB last week, there were 18 cases of gastroenteritis, one case of viral hepatitis A, and two cases of whooping cough.
