Meningitis outbreak at Cavan crèche
The HSE is advising people to be vigilant following an outbreak of meningitis at a crèche in Co Cavan.
It has been confirmed that two children attending the crèche in Ballyheelan, Kilnaleck have contracted the infection.
The HSE is advising parents and carers to contact a doctor immediately if they suspect they or their child has symptoms or signs of meningococcal infection.
Dr Peter Finnegan, Public Health Specialist at the HSE in Cavan and Monaghan told Northern Sound that meningitis cases are extremely rare but very dangerous.
"It starts off like a flu-like illness or a virus, maybe a temperature and the child is unwell, but usually it comes on very rapidly and it's quite obvious that the child is quite sick," he said.
"one of the signs of meningococcal infection is this rash - but the thing about these blotches is they don't disappear when you press a glass against them - they stay.
"This is a sign that it is a serious infection and you should get immediate medical intervention for your child."
