Parents of young children are being urged to take extra precautious as there is a highly infectious bug sweeping across the country that can leave many people feeling unwell.
The bug called Shigellosis which can also affect adults is not considered to be highly dangerous but it can lead to some people needing medical attention.
According to The Irish Mirror, the bug which is a strain of the winter vomiting bug can be easily passed from person to person via contact with objects that are smothered in germs.
It is believed the most common cause of the bug stems from people not washing their hands after using the lavatory.
Although adults can easily contract the bug it is thought that young children are more at risk given their age and their weaker immune system.
Amongst the symptoms people can experience include: fatigue, high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, nausea, stomach cramps and nasal/chest mucus.
Doctors say the best course of action is to make sure you or your child drink plenty of fluids whilst taking plenty of rest. They also say the bug normally takes between 5 to 7 days to clear.
However if a person is still experiencing symptoms or they have developed more alarming symptoms following this period they should contact their GP were they will be prescribed antibiotics.
Experts also advise that parents monitor their children and remind them to wash their hands in order to prevent the bug from spreading.