MENINGITIS UPDATE: Kilkenny parents urged to get children vaccinated as HSE investigates new case

KILKENNY parents have been urged to be vigilant after health authorities confirmed they are investigating another possible case of meningitis.

The twelfth suspected case emerged just days after the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed three people have died from various strains of the lethal infection in recent weeks.

The HSE warned the public to be vigilant and reminded parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated.

Early symptoms of meningitis can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, stomach cramps, cold hands and feet, and a rash.

KilkennyNow.ie last week revealed that 11 cases were identified between Christmas Eve and January 6.

The HSE tonight confirmed it is now investigating a possible twelfth case.

The HSE said the spike is not an outbreak, which would mean that one person picked up the infection from another.

It said there is currently no link between the confirmed cases.