Hunter New England Health is urging Hunter residents to be vigilant and aware of Meningococcal symptoms amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
There have been six cases of Meningococcal Disease in the Hunter New-England region this year, including a 12-month-old baby diagnosed in the Greater Newcastle area. The child is now in a stable condition with close relatives on clearance antibiotics.
Public health physician, Dr Tony Merrit says anyone can be affected by the disease but it is most prevalent in infants and young children.
Dr Merrit says, "people are often really quite sick and symptoms can include fever, accompanied by headaches, nausea, neck stiffness and at times there will be a reddish-purple rash with spots and bruises"
"Meningococcal disease can occur at any time, but we typically see a peak in cases in spring following the winter flu season."
Meningococcal infection does not spread easily. It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying the bacteria and close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on.
The National Immunisation Program includes a combined vaccination for Meningococcal A, C, W and Y disease at the age of 12 months. Recently a Meningococcal B vaccine was introduced to the program and is now available.
In addition, the NSW Government funded Meningococcal ACWY vaccine for older adolescents in schools from 2017 in response to an increase in cases of Meningococcal W. Since 2019 this vaccine has been provided free under the National Immunisation Program.
People aged 15-19 years who have not received the ACWY vaccine via the school program can visit their general practitioner to receive a free vaccine.
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| Image Credit: gudhealth.com.au |
