The North's health minister, Mr John McFall, has said the incidence of meningitis in Northern Ireland has not reached an epidemic. Seven children are being treated for the disease, but Mr McFall said yesterday the incidence of meningitis was no higher than usual.
Mr Paul Trainor, the Workers' Party health spokesman in the North, said yesterday that the US blockade of Cuba was preventing "a wonder drug, which cures meningitis, reaching Northern Ireland".