19/03/2026
Health Minister Urged To Set Out Plans To Curb Possible Meningitis Spread
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has written to the Health Minister to request details of the actions being taken after a Belfast student was hospitalised with suspected meningitis.
The move follows reports of an outbreak in Britain, where two young people have died, and rising case numbers.
The Chair of the Assembly's Health Committee said: "I have written to the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, to find out what preparations and preventative measures he will be putting in place to manage the potential spread of meningitis.
"This will be a deeply worrying time for many following the deaths of two young people in Britain and the increased number of cases following the outbreak.
"What we need to see now is clear and urgent direction from the Minister to reassure the public that there will be plans in place in the event that the disease spreads.
"I would urge anyone who thinks they may have symptoms to seek medical advice immediately."
The move follows reports of an outbreak in Britain, where two young people have died, and rising case numbers.
"This will be a deeply worrying time for many following the deaths of two young people in Britain and the increased number of cases following the outbreak.
"What we need to see now is clear and urgent direction from the Minister to reassure the public that there will be plans in place in the event that the disease spreads.
"I would urge anyone who thinks they may have symptoms to seek medical advice immediately."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.