Members of the public are being urged to watch out for signs of meningitis.

Cases of the serious illness are said to increase by up to 60% during the autumn and winter months, with over half of those cases being in children under five.

Early symptoms of the disease can be mistaken for those of flu, and can include fever, headache, stiff neck, joint pain and in some cases, a rash.

Meningitis can affect anybody at anytime and has the capability to kill within hours.

Acting Director of Public Health Dr Parameshwaran Kishore (pictured) is encouraging everybody to learn more about the disease and says it could mean the difference between life and death: