An adult is in a Hunter hospital with a confirmed case of meningococcal disease.
Hunter New England Health says there is no link between this case and any others. Close contacts of the patient have been prescribed clearance antibiotics as a precaution to prevent any further transmission of the disease.
The first signs of meningococcal disease may include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour. Later symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, nausea and vomiting, a rash of reddish-purple spots or bruises, and drowsiness.
Public Health Physician Dr Craig Dalton is stressing that while the disease is life-threatening, in most cases early detection and treatment results in a full recovery.
