Another case of meningococcal meningitis has been confirmed by the Midland Health Board. Of the three cases discovered over the past week, one has been fatal.
Last Friday, a 20-year-old student at Carlow RTC developed a sudden illness and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
On Saturday, a three-month-old girl was admitted to Portlaoise General Hospital and meningococcal meningitis was diagnosed. She has responded to treatment.
A year-old boy who was admitted to Longford/Westmeath General Hospital on Monday has meningitis, it was confirmed yesterday.
A Midlands Health Board spokeswoman advised parents, especially of young children, to be extra vigilant. But she pointed out the chances of recovery are greatly improved by early diagnosis and treatment.
She also warned that young adults are a high-risk group, and said early symptoms "can be mistaken for a hangover or a bad 'flu". The incidence of meningococcal meningitis in Ireland is higher than in other European countries.