A teenager in Clare with meningitis has died and the case is being investigated by Public Health Mid-West.
Close contacts are being identified and offered treatment. Public Health chiefs explained that meningitis “is a serious illness involving inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord" but stressed that the overall risk to the community is low.
They said the disease can be caused by a "variety of different germs, mainly bacteria and viruses” and that bacterial meningitis is less common but "usually more serious" than viral meningitis and requires urgent treatment with antibiotics.
Read more: Covid, flu and Strep A - the different symptoms for the illnesses that are making everyone sick
"Bacterial meningitis may be accompanied by septicaemia (blood poisoning)," they continued. "The bacteria live naturally in the nose and throat of normal healthy persons without causing illness.
"The spread of the bacteria is caused by droplets from the nose and mouth. The illness occurs most frequently in young children and adolescents, usually as isolated cases. Bacterial meningitis or septicaemia requires urgent antibiotic treatment."
Public Health Mid-West said that signs and symptoms of the disease may include:
- Severe headaches
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Discomfort from bright light
- Neck stiffness
- Rash
They urged anyone with concerns to immediately contact their GP and ensure medical expertise is sought.
Read next:
- Dublin doctor sees spike in cases of hypothermia in older people in unheated homes
- Half of Long Covid patients experience one serious side effect, according to Irish study
- Long Covid symptoms could be ruining sex lives, warns GP
- The most common side effect of Covid booster - and how to treat it
- 'My baby died at 20 weeks but a simple test could have saved his life'
