BY SAMUEL BARTLETT
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.
Showing posts with label #MeningococcalDisease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #MeningococcalDisease. Show all posts
Friday, 3 July 2020
Sunday, 21 July 2019
Meningococcal Claims Another Life In The Hunter
BY IAN CROUCH
Hunter New England Health has confirmed the death of an elderly woman from meningococcal disease in the Hunter, the second in a week in the region.
It's believed the woman was a resident of the Jesmond Grove Aged Care Hostel operated by Anglican Care. She was admitted to hospital in a critical condition but sadly died overnight.
Hunter New England Health has previously confirmed the risk of other cases from the Jesmond facility is extremely low.
The woman is the 5th case of meningococcal disease in the Hunter New England District in 2019 and the second person in the region to die from the illness in a week after a toddler fell victim to the bacterial infection.
Dr Craig Dalton from Hunter New England Health says while the disease is rare, it is difficult to identify and people need to be aware of symptoms.
"Often it can mimic other common illnesses, so be aware nearer spring that nausea symptoms, vomiting, neck stiffness, joint pain, light sensitivity, or a sudden fever, could be something else.
Most people associate meningococcal disease with a rash or red-purple spots or bruises but in some cases a rash doesn't appear, or it could be the last symptom to take shape," he said.
Hunter New England Health says meningococcal disease does not spread easily. It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying the bacteria. Close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on.
Hunter New England Health has confirmed the death of an elderly woman from meningococcal disease in the Hunter, the second in a week in the region.
It's believed the woman was a resident of the Jesmond Grove Aged Care Hostel operated by Anglican Care. She was admitted to hospital in a critical condition but sadly died overnight.
Hunter New England Health has previously confirmed the risk of other cases from the Jesmond facility is extremely low.
The woman is the 5th case of meningococcal disease in the Hunter New England District in 2019 and the second person in the region to die from the illness in a week after a toddler fell victim to the bacterial infection.
Dr Craig Dalton from Hunter New England Health says while the disease is rare, it is difficult to identify and people need to be aware of symptoms.
"Often it can mimic other common illnesses, so be aware nearer spring that nausea symptoms, vomiting, neck stiffness, joint pain, light sensitivity, or a sudden fever, could be something else.
Most people associate meningococcal disease with a rash or red-purple spots or bruises but in some cases a rash doesn't appear, or it could be the last symptom to take shape," he said.
Hunter New England Health says meningococcal disease does not spread easily. It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying the bacteria. Close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on.
Thursday, 27 September 2018
Meningococcal Disease Claims Another Life In The Hunter
BY IAN CROUCH
A young Hunter woman has died after contracting meningococcal disease.
The 25-year-old collapsed at home last Saturday and was rushed to hospital by ambulance but was unable to be revived.
Tests have confirmed meningococcal was the cause of death.
It's the eighth confirmed case of the disease in the Hunter New England Health region and the second fatality this year.
A child is currently being cared for in another Hunter region hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.
A young Hunter woman has died after contracting meningococcal disease.
The 25-year-old collapsed at home last Saturday and was rushed to hospital by ambulance but was unable to be revived.
Tests have confirmed meningococcal was the cause of death.
It's the eighth confirmed case of the disease in the Hunter New England Health region and the second fatality this year.
A child is currently being cared for in another Hunter region hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.
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