Child with meningitis in Naas is aged under seven

A Naas child being treated for meningitis is a pupil at a primary school, it has emerged.

Any further details such as gender or the current condition of the child cannot be disclosed due to strict patient confidentiality rules.

However sources told KildareNow said the young patient is aged around six or seven years old.

The hospital where the child is being treated is also unknown - but it's not Naas General Hospital.

The Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), which works to raise awareness of the life-threatening condition, said it was informed of the latest case last week through its helpline.

The MRF said meningitis is the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord while septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease.

The spokeswoman said: "The conditions can occur together or separately and share many of the symptoms of other, more common, everyday illnesses such as the flu.

"As a result it is vital that people are able to recognise the signs and symptoms, particularly the symptoms that are more unique to this devastating disease as early diagnosis and treatment help to save lives."