DEATHS from meningitis in the Eastern Health Board area fell this month compared to January last year. There were two deaths from meningococcal meningitis this year and four in January, 1995.
Up to last weekend there were 19 reported cases of suspected meningitis, one fewer than January last year in the EHB's area of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, which represents one third of the State's population.
The two adults who died were women aged 19 and 20, both from Dublin. Earlier this month, a two year old child from Co Galway in the Western Health Board region died from meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning).
According to Dr Brian O'Herlihy, EHB's director of public health, meningococcal disease was "around at all times", but usually hits people in winter or early spring. He said it can hit people very quickly and parents of very young children should be aware of the signs and symptoms, which begin with flu type illnesses such as headache, vomiting, fever, aches and pains.
Active discussions have been under way for the past 18 months about the establishment of a joint disease surveillance system between Northern Ireland and the Republic. This follows a 1990 report for the Department on the future of public health medicine. It made a number of recommendations, including the establishment of a surveillance system.
In 1991, about 80 per cent of suspected cases were being reported. The EHB believes about 90 per cent of cases are reported now. Publicity about the disease in the past two or three years has contributed to this.