There has been a dramatic fall-off in the number of cases of meningitis C in the State since toddlers and young adults began being immunised against it.
Recent figures from the Department of Health show the incidence of infection declined by 89 per cent in the period January to November 2002, compared to the same period in 2000.
Under the immunisation scheme, a meningitis C vaccine is administered to children at two, four and six months of age as well as to young adults. It began in October 2000.
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said the reduction in infections had been seen in all age groups targeted by the vaccine, ranging from a 100 per cent reduction in the 5-9 year age group to an 86 per cent reduction in the 1-4 and 19-24 year age groups.
"There have been no group C deaths in 2002 to date whereas over the same period in 1999, 2000 and 2001 there were five, nine and three deaths respectively, thereby highlighting the positive impact the meningitis C vaccine has had in reducing not only the morbidity but also mortality due to group C disease in Ireland, in all age groups but especially in young children," the Minister said.
He also indicated that the incidence of other forms of meningitis has also fallen. According to the National Disease Surveillance Centre, 296 cases of bacterial meningitis were notified between October 1st 2001 and September 30th, 2002. This was a decline of 31 per cent compared to the same period the previous year, when 431 cases were notified.
Meningitis B is the most common form of the disease here but there is no effective group B vaccine suitable for routine immunisation. For this reason, early detection and treatment is crucial.