(SHUTTERSTOCK)

LEVIS, Que. — Two children who attended the same daycare outside Quebec City died of meningitis this week.

The deceased attended different classes at the daycare centre in suburban Levis, Que.

A four-year-old child died on Thursday of meningitis streptococci, one of several bacteria that can cause meningitis. A 22-month-old child died on Tuesday.

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

It has many causes, including allergies and chemical irritation, but the bacterial version is especially serious and can be fatal in up to 50% of cases.

Public health officials issued a health alert following the deaths in Levis.

"We immediately contacted the parents and they were invited to meet with us to ... prescribe antibiotics for all children in the facility," daycare director Martin Demers said.

Bacterial meningitis kills more than 100 people a year in Canada.