Kildare baby died from meningitis
It has been confirmed that a seven month old baby from Co Kildare who died almost two weeks ago died as a result of meningitis.
The South Western Area Healthboard said that the infant died from the lethal group B meningococcal strain of the disease for which there is no vaccine.
The Health Board has carried out all possible tracing procedures and preventative anti-biotics have been given to people who could have been in close contact with the young boy.
A Health Board spokesperson said he would like to reassure the public that this was an isolated incident and no further cases have been reported around the area.
He advised all parents of young children to be constantly on the alert for signs and symptoms of the disease, which initially presents itself as a flu-like illness.
