Meningitis foundation warning over illness

Fears have arisen that the number of cases of potentially fatal meningococcal diseases will have increased considerably by the year end.

Latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show that, up to Sept 7, there were 60 cases of meningococcal disease, most of which were from the meningococcal group B (MenB) strain, for which there is no vaccine currently available.

Last year, there were 66 cases of meningococcal disease, resulting in two deaths. Again, over 90% of the cases were MenB.