The health authorities have been informed that a baby has been admitted to Mater Dei Hospital with meningitis, a government statement read.

"This case was not acquired in the hospital setting and is not related to the previously reported death of a 4-year-old child with bacterial meningitis. In fact, the two cases were caused by two different types of bacteria. Meningitis can be caused by many different types of bacteria. The bacteria responsible in the case of the baby only affects babies in the first three months of life. In Malta, an average of four cases are reported in newborn babies every year."

"This type of infection is treatable with antibiotics, and no vaccine is available against this type of bacteria. The best way to prevent such infections is by always ensuring good hand hygiene, especially when in contact with newborn babies who are more vulnerable to infections," the statement read.

A boy aged four died of bacterial meningitis last Sunday, pushing the health authorities to reassure parents whose children might have come into contact. Health authorities had, after this,  handed out information leaflets to parents of the boy's classmates and teachers, reassuring them that the disease does not spread.