A six-week-old baby boy has died of meningitis at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, it has emerged.
The child was one of four babies with bacterial meningitis admitted to the hospital since the start of the year. He died on Sunday January 2nd, according to the Health Service Executive for the north east region.
A spokeswoman said: "Tragically, one of these patients has died. The others are all responding to treatment."
All of the babies are under two-years-old and come from the counties Meath and Louth. Two of the cases are related, the HSE spokeswoman confirmed, although she said she could not provide further details.
She said more than one case in a particular area, or more cases than were usual, could typically be described as an outbreak. There would normally be around 20 cases in the Meath-Louth area each year - four in a week therefore represents a major increase in meningitis cases.
Our Lady's hospital said parents, especially those with small children, should take heed of the symptoms and signs of the infection.
The hospital's doctors have been following up anyone in contact with the children affected and are working to minimise the risk of further cases occurring.
The infections were all caused by Group B Meningococcus, a bacterial form of the disease, which has no preventative vaccine so far. In 2003, there were 311 cases of bacterial meningitis reported with 18 deaths.
The Meningitis Research Foundation, which is currently spending €5.7 million on 31 projects into preventing and detecting the disease, said Group B Meningococcus is the most common form in Ireland and scientists are still working to establish a preventative vaccine.
Some of the signs of meningitis include fever, stomach muscle or joint pain, drowsiness, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, vomiting, rapid breathing, cold hands and feet.
Another symptom is a rash which does not fade when a glass is pressed against the skin.
However, small babies may also suffer from a tense or bulging spot on top of their heads, blotched or pale skin, a refusal to feed, fretfulness or a shrill cry, body stiffness or floppiness.
The hospital warned parents to immediately seek medical advice if they were concerned about a child. The Meningitis Research Foundation 24-hour helpline is 1890-413344.