THE NUMBER of people who died after contracting meningitis in Northern Ireland last year was almost double the 1995 total. Statistics published yesterday show that 19 people died from the illness, compared with 10 in 1995, while cases of two of the three main forms of meningitis almost doubled.
There were more than 60 cases of meningococcal septicaemia, which claimed 11 lives, compared with 38 cases and just one fatality the previous year. The number of cases of viral meningitis shot up from 17 to 37.
However, while the incidence of two forms of the illness increased, the third major type, bacterial meningitis, declined from 104 cases to 69.
The figures were described as "very worrying" by the Meningitis Research Foundation. A spokeswoman, Ms Diane McConnell, said that the situation was being monitored closely. Given greater public awareness, she was confident that more people would be able to spot the symptoms of meningitis in the earliest stages and obtain prompt medical treatment.