A SCHOOL has been closed and parents urged to look out for signs of sickness following the death of a young girl.
Kayla Carey, six, was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin on Thursday after falling ill.
Worried mum Ger took to social media to confirm her daughter, from Navan, Co Meath, was “very sick with meningitis”.
She said: “No one knows what’s around the corner, I need everyone to pray for my baby girl Kayla.”
Just hours later Ger posted a heartbreaking update.
She wrote: “My little princess didn’t make it RIP Kayla mammy loves you and can’t believe this.”
Locals told how the community had been “plunged into shock” by the death of the Scoil Mhuire Navan pupil.
And Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons urged vigilance as it emerged that a second child from the town was being treated for the deadly brain bug.
He told the Irish Sun: “This is just such a devastating tragedy, and it has affected everyone in the area. Scoil Mhuire has been closed and all children have been advised to visit their GP immediately. I pray no one else will be affected by this.”
Medics have advised parents to seek immediate care if their child displays even minor symptoms of meningitis.
GP and Vice-President of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Dr John O’Brien said: “Any death from meningitis is a tragedy for the family and community involved.
“Our advice to parents and families in the area is to look out for symptoms such as high fever, lethargy or a rash in their child.
“If your child has even minor symptoms, or if they are a cause of concern, go to your GP for advice.”
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He added: “However, if your child has no symptoms, please don’t come to your GP for a check-up.
“The chances of other children who came in contact with a child with meningitis being infected is very low.”
The school was closed yesterday as a precaution but is due to reopen on Monday.