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.
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.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
03 October 2001
Meningitis C immunisation scheme success
Figures released by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) this week show a dramatic decrease in the number of cases of meningitis C in Northern Ireland this year. Between 1 January and 30 June 2001, there were only four confirmed cases of meningitis C here, compared with 32 cases for the same period in the previous year.
Meningitis C immunisation scheme success
Figures released by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) this week show a dramatic decrease in the number of cases of meningitis C in Northern Ireland this year. Between 1 January and 30 June 2001, there were only four confirmed cases of meningitis C here, compared with 32 cases for the same period in the previous year.
21 October 2022
£5.5m School Holiday Food Grant Announced
The families of children entitled to free school meals will receive a school holiday food grant until March 2023, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
£5.5m School Holiday Food Grant Announced
The families of children entitled to free school meals will receive a school holiday food grant until March 2023, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
02 August 2013
Parents Encouraged To Use School Uniform Grants
Education Minister John O'Dowd has encouraged parents to take advantage of school uniform grants. The Clothing Allowance Scheme covers pupils in primary, post-primary and special schools and is similar to free school meals with regards to its eligibility criteria.
Parents Encouraged To Use School Uniform Grants
Education Minister John O'Dowd has encouraged parents to take advantage of school uniform grants. The Clothing Allowance Scheme covers pupils in primary, post-primary and special schools and is similar to free school meals with regards to its eligibility criteria.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
