THE death of an infant boy in Cork two days ago is being investigated by the Southern Health Board as a suspected case of meningitis.

The SHB said yesterday that since the beginning of the year, there had been one confirmed and five suspected cases of the disease, including the case of the infant who died earlier this week at the Cork University Hospital.

In a statement, the board said that meningococcal disease could manifest itself as meningitis or septicaemia (blood poisoning). It also warned that the illness could develop very rapidly, and sometimes in a matter of hours.

Parents have been warned to look for high temperature in babies; refusal to feed; fretfulness; red or purple spots, or bruising; as well as difficulty in waking. In children and adults, the danger signals can include: headaches; fever/high temperature; vomiting; drowsiness, coma or confusion; and dislike of bright lights.