NSW Health has revealed 10 people from the Hunter-New England region have died from meningococcal disease since 2010.
Local Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington, is calling for an immediate investigation into why the statistics for the Hunter are three times higher than any other part of NSW.
Between 2014-15, five people from Hunter-New England died of the acute bacterial disease. During this time no other deaths were recorded elsewhere in NSW.
Ms Washington said the government should issue a "general alert" to the region.
NSW Health Communicable Disease Branch Director, Vicky Sheppeard, told The Daily Telegraph she did not the view these statistics as a local health problem due to the rarity of the disease.
Deaths from meningococcal disease occur in only roughly 10 per cent if cases.
Symptoms to watch out for include a red-purple rash, sudden fever, headache, sensitivity to light, nausea and neck stiffness.
Babies, children, young adults and people exposed to cigarette smoke are most at risk.
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| Local MP for Port Stephens Kate Washington |
