THE CONDITION of a 17-year-old boy who became ill with suspected meningitis last week stabilised yesterday.
The fifth-year pupil of Coláiste Choilm in Ballincollig, Co Cork, was rushed to Cork University Hospital late on Friday night.
His family members were at his bedside yesterday. However, his condition is said to have improved over the last 48 hours.
Staff at Coláiste Choilm made efforts over the weekend to make parents of students in the teenager's year aware of the situation.
Information leaflets were also made available at the school for concerned parents.
The meningococcus virus causes two distinct illnesses: meningitis and septicaemia.
When it invades the lining of the brain and spinal cord, it causes meningitis.
A widespread infection of the blood results in septicaemia. Both illnesses can occur together, causing symptoms such as headache, neck stiffness, drowsiness and a characteristic skin rash.
Meanwhile, teachers and students at a 750-pupil secondary school in Glanmire, Co Cork, have undergone health screenings after an outbreak of TB was confirmed on site.
One student who contracted TB was in a stable condition yesterday and has been confined at home for two weeks. The Health Service Executive (HSE) South began screenings in the middle of last week and screenings continued at the Glanmire Community School last Friday. The school has been working closely with the HSE to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the school and is following the advice of medical experts.
The Department of Health has confirmed that it has been notified of a case of TB at a school in Glanmire.
The HSE has said contract screening is proceeding in accordance with national guidelines.
There is also an "ongoing close liaison with public health doctors, the school and parents".