Steep rise in number of meningitis cases in Cork

THE number of meningitis cases in Cork nearly doubled in the first five months of this year, compared to the corresponding period in 2005.

Figures released yesterday by the Health Services Executive (HSE) Southern Area show that there were 16 cases reported in Cork from January 1 to May 29. There were just nine in the same period last year.

In Kerry, however, there has been a significant drop. There were eight cases reported in the first five months of 2005, while this year there has been one.