THE meningococcal meningitis outbreak that killed a baby at a Centurion crèche was under control, the City of Tshwane said

"No new deaths have been reported (since the beginning of October). We wish to confirm that only one child's death was a confirmed case of meningitis," spokeswoman Dikeledi Phiri said in a statement.

Two of the three children who died attended the same crèche in Olievenhoutbosh and the autopsy report confirmed that only one died as a result of the infection. "However, seven children from the same crèche tested positive for the infection and were admitted to hospital." They were treated and had since been discharged, Phiri said.

The Tshwane outbreak response team distributed medication to prevent the disease from spreading and vaccinated the children and their families.

All the crèches in Olievenhoutbosh were being monitored on a daily basis, she said. A total of 27 cases of meningococcal meningitis had been reported in Tshwane since May.

Although the infection could occur throughout a year, it was most prevalent from May to September.

Meningococcal meningitis is the most dangerous type of meningitis, with infants being the most at risk.

Its symptoms are fever, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, stiffness of the neck and legs, tiredness, sleepiness, light-sensitive eyes, confusion, skin rashes and seizures, primarily in children.

Treatment is essential to ensure recovery. One in 10 cases is fatal, and one in seven survivors is left disabled.

"Anyone experiencing any of the above symptoms should seek medical help immediately," Phiri said.