THE HEALTH Service Executive has warned parents to be on the lookout for signs of meningitis following the death of a two-year-old girl from the disease in Cork over Christmas, writes Barry Roche.
The girl from Glanmire was rushed to Cork University Hospital on Christmas Day, but died shortly afterwards. Her death is the second from the disease in Cork in 2008.
There have been 29 confirmed cases of bacterial meningitis in Cork and Kerry in 2008 compared to 15 last year. Of these, 13 were in Cork county, 11 were in Cork city, with the other five in Co Kerry.
HSE South consultant in public health medicine Dr Fiona Ryan urged parents to be vigilant for signs of the disease, which can affect children and adults as well as babies. “Babies may have a high temperature, be fretful or difficult to wake, have a high pitched or moaning cry and have cold hands and feet, and they may have a rash of red or purple spots or bruises.”
Symptoms in children and adults include headache, vomiting, drowsiness or a dislike of bright lights.