Menu
25/06/2012
Meningitis Cases At County Down School
A primary school child has meningitis and another at the same Northern Ireland school may have the infection.
The second case at the Our Lady and St Patrick's primary school in Downpatrick is being treated as a "probable case" and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is investigating.
The children are "responding well" to treatment, their school principal Hugh Kelly said, and all other pupils and staff at the school have been offered precautionary antibiotics.
Common symptoms of meningitis include drowsiness, vomiting, fever with cold hands and feet, a stiff neck and dislike of bright lights.
If somebody develops a rash that does not fade when a glass is pressed on it, this is a medical emergency and help should be sought immediately.
Mr Kelly urged parents of the 400 children who attend the primary to speak to medical professionals from the PHA and the South Eastern and Social Care Trust when they visit the school today (Monday) to give antibiotics out.
Dr Brian Smyth, consultant in health protection at the PHA, told the BBC: "I would like to reassure the parents of the children who attend the school that the likelihood of further cases at the school is low but, in line with standard national advice, as there have been two cases recently at the school, we are providing antibiotics to pupils and staff. The risk to the wider community is extremely low."
The PHA said there are approximately 60-70 cases of meningococcal meningitis each year in Northern Ireland.
(NE/GK)
The second case at the Our Lady and St Patrick's primary school in Downpatrick is being treated as a "probable case" and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is investigating.
The children are "responding well" to treatment, their school principal Hugh Kelly said, and all other pupils and staff at the school have been offered precautionary antibiotics.
Common symptoms of meningitis include drowsiness, vomiting, fever with cold hands and feet, a stiff neck and dislike of bright lights.
If somebody develops a rash that does not fade when a glass is pressed on it, this is a medical emergency and help should be sought immediately.
Mr Kelly urged parents of the 400 children who attend the primary to speak to medical professionals from the PHA and the South Eastern and Social Care Trust when they visit the school today (Monday) to give antibiotics out.
Dr Brian Smyth, consultant in health protection at the PHA, told the BBC: "I would like to reassure the parents of the children who attend the school that the likelihood of further cases at the school is low but, in line with standard national advice, as there have been two cases recently at the school, we are providing antibiotics to pupils and staff. The risk to the wider community is extremely low."
The PHA said there are approximately 60-70 cases of meningococcal meningitis each year in Northern Ireland.
(NE/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 April 2024
Woman And Children Held Captive In Aggravated Burglary
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information after a woman and four young children were held captive as their home was ransacked in an aggravated burglary in East Belfast on Saturday, 06 April. Police received a report that around 10.45pm, four masked men entered a house in the Greenwood Hill area of Castlereagh.
Woman And Children Held Captive In Aggravated Burglary
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information after a woman and four young children were held captive as their home was ransacked in an aggravated burglary in East Belfast on Saturday, 06 April. Police received a report that around 10.45pm, four masked men entered a house in the Greenwood Hill area of Castlereagh.
07 May 2024
Alliance Welcomes Passing Of New Literacy Development Motion
Every single child deserves access to literature and the chance to develop their literacy skills and foster a love of reading, Alliance Ormiston Councillor Christine Bower has said.
Alliance Welcomes Passing Of New Literacy Development Motion
Every single child deserves access to literature and the chance to develop their literacy skills and foster a love of reading, Alliance Ormiston Councillor Christine Bower has said.
06 February 2024
New Campaign Raises Awareness Of Online Grooming
A new campaign to raise awareness of the dangers for children online has been launched by the PSNI and the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), on Safer Internet Day, Tuesday 6th February 2024. According to the PSNI, online sexual offences against children are becoming an increasing crime type in Northern Ireland.
New Campaign Raises Awareness Of Online Grooming
A new campaign to raise awareness of the dangers for children online has been launched by the PSNI and the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), on Safer Internet Day, Tuesday 6th February 2024. According to the PSNI, online sexual offences against children are becoming an increasing crime type in Northern Ireland.
09 May 2024
Confirmed Cases Of Measles In NI Raises To Ten
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has emphasised the importance of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine as it confirmed that a number of linked cases of measles have been identified in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area – bringing the total cases of measles in NI to 10.
Confirmed Cases Of Measles In NI Raises To Ten
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has emphasised the importance of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine as it confirmed that a number of linked cases of measles have been identified in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area – bringing the total cases of measles in NI to 10.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Any fog and low cloud burning off this morning. Then sunny intervals with a few showers breaking out this afternoon, these mainly across southern counties. Warm. Maximum temperature 21 °C.Tonight:Any showers dying out this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with variable amounts of cloud. Low cloud and fog developing in the early hours. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
