Two more children have died from bacterial meningitis. A 12 year old girl from Swords died at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, in Dublin, on Tuesday and a two and a half year old girl from Co Kildare died at Portlaoise County Hospital on Wednesday.
There were four deaths from the disease in the Eastern Health Board area in January.
A spokeswoman at the Meningitis Research Foundation said it was important to know the symptoms. These can include an avoidance of bright lights, stiff neck, headaches, vomiting, and flu like symptoms, such as aching limbs and fever. A rash can appear in cases of meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) which will not fade if a glass is pressed against it.