Hundreds of primary school children in Ballymena, Co Antrim, were given antibiotics after two young classmates were struck down by suspected meningitis within hours of each other.

Across the county at Glengormley another young school boy was confirmed to have contracted the potentially fatal meningococcal septicemia. His condition was said to be "stable".

Two other children were being treated in Londonderry and two more, including a six month old baby, were being treated in a Belfast hospital after being confirmed to have the disease.

Northern Ireland Health Minister John McFall insisted there was not an epidemic and urged parents to remain calm.

He said the incidents of meningitis were no higher than past years.

"We can compare figures for this year with figures of the same magnitude in the past.

"The important thing is that something is being done , the young people are being catered for and the procedures associated with this are being carried out," said Mr McFall.

The mass treatment of children in Ballymena was launched after two boys in the same P1 class at All Saints Primary School showed signs of meningococcal septicaemia within hours of each other on Monday.

The boys, aged four and five, are reported to be "stable" in hospital.

All the children in the school and their teachers - together with those from a neighbouring nursery school which shares the same playground and facilities - were given antibiotics to protect them against the disease.

A vaccination programme is being considered if the two boys are confirmed to have meningitis.

The other County Antrim child, a pupil at the Ballyhenry Primary School in Glengormley, was admitted to hospital on Saturday and was also reported to be in a "stable" condition.

The local Northern Health Board said there was nothing to link the outbreaks at the two schools.