Minister unveils meningitis awareness campaign

A campaign to increase awareness of meningitis was announced today by Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Mr Tim O'Malley.

Provisional figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show that 262 cases of bacterial meningitis were reported in 2004, a reduction on the previous year's figure of 311.

Only five of the cases were Group C strain cases, compared to 139 cases in 2003.

"This sizeable reduction in the number of cases - a 96 per cent reduction - is due to the success of the meningococcal group C (Meningitis C) immunisation campaign," the Minister said.

He described the falling figures as a welcome step in the right direction, but noted that there is still some way to go before achieving the Meningitis Research Foundation's vision of a "world free of meningitis and septicaemia".

Group B strain of the disease now accounts for the majority of meningitis cases in Ireland. There is no effective vaccine for this strain of the disease.

Although meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours, it can be successfully treated if identified in time.

"It is crucial, therefore, that students, parents of young children and healthcare professionals be vigilant where this disease is concerned and that they seek medical advice without delay where the symptoms of these diseases are present," said the Minister.

"The information provided by the Meningitis Research Foundation will assist in raising the awareness level of parents and students to the relevant signs and symptoms," Mr O'Malley said.

The campaign is being organised by the Meningitis Research Foundation with Boots Chemists, and will run for February.