Vol. 455 No. 2
118 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have contracted meningitis in the Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard area, Dublin 10 recently; if this constitutes a possible epidemic; the action, if any, he is taking to allay the fears of parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12033/95]
Limerick East): In the period 1-26 June two children and one adult have contacted meningococcal disease in the Ballyfermot-Cherry Orchard area. This does not constitute an epidemic. All close contacts of the three cases identified were advised of the symptoms of meningitis and were given chemoprophylaxis with rifampicin. In two cases, group C meningococci were identified. All contacts of these cases are being vaccinated. In the third case, no organism has been identified, although the clinical picture was that of meningococcal septicaemia.
All parents in a primary school attended by the one school going case were invited to a talk and question and answer session given by two area medical officers in the school. Eighty-one parents attended. In addition, concerned parents and members of the community were invited to the local community centre where the acting director of community care for Area 5 and a second area medical officer explained the symptoms and risks of meningitis and answered queries.
