Incidence of disease drops by almost 98%

MENINGITIS C has almost been eradicated since a national vaccination programme was implemented three years ago.

National Disease Surveillance Centre director Dr Darina O’Flanagan said there were just three cases of the disease this year.

“This is a ringing endorsement of the remarkable success of the vaccination programme,” she said at the launch of the NDSC report in Dublin yesterday.

The figures represent a decrease of almost 98% in meningitis C since the vaccine was introduced in October 2000.

“It means that 127 fewer families suffered the trauma of childhood meningococcal disease in 2003,” said Dr O’Flanagan.

Before the vaccine was introduced, there was an average of 130 cases of meningitis C and six deaths from the disease each year.

“The meningitis C vaccination campaign has been a major public success story. To build on this success it is vital that the current meningitis C uptake levels are maintained and improved on,” said Dr O’Flanagan.

She said Ireland had one of the best vaccination programmes in Europe, largely due to the fact that it was funded by the State. Some European countries were still having trouble controlling the disease.

She also said that meningitis C tended to infect clusters of students in schools and colleges and usually caused a lot of panic and alarm, unlike meningitis B, which tended to be associated with younger children.

Of the three cases of meningitis C reported this year, two were teenagers and one was a mature woman. Despite the good news story, Dr O’Flanagan said we must remain vigilant. Their advice to parents was still the same.

“We must ensure that infants less than one year of age receive the recommended three doses at two, four and six months and that older children between one and 22 years of age who have not already availed of the vaccine receive the recommended dose.”

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available for meningitis B.

The incidence rate of meningitis B declined by almost a quarter in 2002, compared to 2000, but not to the same magnitude as meningitis C.

Meningitis Research Foundation manager Anne McCoy warned parents to be aware the incidence of meningitis B tended to increase during the winter months and those wanting more information and advice about the disease could call their lo-call helpline number: 1890 413344.