The update follows confirmation of five new cases of meningitis being discovered in Kent
Parents of students at Bloomfield Collegiate School have been reassured
Health officials are investigating a suspected case of meningococcal disease in a pupil at a Belfast secondary school.
Parents at Bloomfield Collegiate, in the east of the city, have been notified by the Public Health Agency (PHA), which has moved to reassure families that appropriate measures are in place.
The agency stressed that the incident is not connected to the meningitis outbreak in England, where two young people have died in recent weeks. “The Public Health Agency is aware of a probable case of meningococcal disease in a 16‑year‑old pupil who attends a secondary school in Belfast,” the agency confirmed in a statement.
“All appropriate public health actions have now been completed. As a precaution, PHA has been working closely with the school and has issued information to parents and guardians. Relevant guidance has also been shared with GP out-of-hours services and emergency departments. We urge students, staff and families to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis and act fast if they suspect they may have it.”
The update follows confirmation of five new cases of meningitis being discovered in Kent on Wednesday morning (March 18), taking the number of confirmed and suspected cases in the outbreak to 20.
“PHA is aware of the meningitis incident in Kent and is participating in regular UK-wide meetings in relation to this,” the statement added. “To date there is no evidence of spread beyond the south east of England.”
Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Speaking with the BBC, Dr Jillian Johnston, from the PHA, believes the appropriate public health actions had been taken, saying “It is important I clarify and confirm there is no link with this particular case with the outbreak in England.
“We have assessed the individual for that purpose and are part of the wider conversation of what is going on in England and are quite content at the moment this is not in any way related.”
Philip McGuigan, the chairman of Stormont’s Health Committee, said he would write to Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, to confirm what action is being taken. “This will be a deeply worrying time for many following the deaths of two young people in Britain and the increased number of cases following the outbreak,” Mr McGuigan said.
“What we need to see now is clear and urgent direction from the minister to reassure the public that there will be plans in place in the event that the disease spreads. I would urge anyone who thinks they may have symptoms to seek medical advice immediately.”
