Teenager dies from meningitis

Teenager died at Craigavon Area Hospital on Sunday

A 15-year-old boy from County Tyrone has died from meningitis.

Darragh Corey died at Craigavon Area Hospital on Sunday.

He was a fourth-year pupil at St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon.

All pupils at the school will be issued with a letter for their parents from the health authorities.

Tests are being carried out to establish the type of the disease.

The Southern Health Board has urged Northern Ireland parents to be aware of meningitis symptoms.

Symptoms

Dr Diane Corrigan said: "The main type of protection for children is actually to get the vaccination against the type C."

Symptoms of the disease include fever, pain in the joints or back, severe headaches, a stiff neck and vomiting.

Last spring the Department of Health said a children's immunisation programme with the new vaccine for meningitis C was having a welcome effect on the disease.

Early reports across the UK showed the number of cases of meningococcal infection in babies and teenagers had been dramatically reduced.

In Northern Ireland there was one case of the meningococcal group C disease in a child under one-year-old between January and March 2000.