No signs of meningitis disease outbreak in UK affecting Ireland, says HSE

Molly O'Reilly

There is no evidence of an increase in invasive meningococcal disease activity - linked to meningitis - in Ireland, despite the serious outbreak in the UK, according to the HSE's National Director for Public Health. 

Dr John Cuddihy said there was no rise in the disease's activity beyond expected seasonal and background levels. "There is also currently no indication of links between any cases in Ireland and the outbreak reported in Kent." 

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections.

In the UK, a serious meningococcal disease outbreak is currently being tackled by health authorities in Kent, where two young people have died. To date, 15 laboratory cases in the UK have been confirmed, and 12 notifications remain under investigation.  All confirmed cases linked to the outbreak so far are young adults. The UK Health Security Agency has advised that the situation is evolving and further cases are possible.

The HSE said its national Public Health team remains in regular contact with the UK Health Security Agency to inspect the issue further.

“Routine surveillance in Ireland continues to show that meningococcal disease remains a rare but serious infection, with sporadic cases occurring each year,” said Dr Cuddihy.

He said symptoms include fever, severe headache, vomiting, rapid breathing, cold hands and feet, drowsiness, or a rash that doesn’t fade under pressure. "Do not wait for a rash. If someone is ill and getting worse, get medical help immediately," he advised.

The bacteria have several serotypes with different vaccines available against types A, B, C, W, and Y.

Vaccines for the disease are provided for babies and first years in secondary school.

Dr Lucy Jessop, director of the HSE’s National Immunisation Office, said the MenB vaccine has been part of the free national childhood immunisation schedule for babies born from 1 October 2016 onwards. It is given over three doses at 2, 4 and 12 months.

"Meningococcal type B disease is most common in babies under the age of one year old and the scheduling of the administration of the vaccine under the immunisation programme takes account of this. There is currently no catch-up Men B vaccine programme for older children. Men C vaccine is also offered to babies as part of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme," she said.

 “The MenACWY vaccine is offered in the first year of secondary school and protects against other meningococcal strains (A, C, W and Y). The HSE school immunisation teams are currently giving this vaccine in schools across the country. Parents are advised to look out for the consent form in their children’s school bag and make sure it is returned so that their children can be protected.”