Meningococcal Disease Update NSW - February 2008
Update
Background
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness that usually manifests as meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
The disease is rare and now usually affects about 110 people in New South Wales each year (or 1.6 per 100,000 NSW residents, per annum). Meningococcal disease occurs more commonly in winter and early spring.
While anybody can get the disease, those at increased risk include:
- Infants, young children, adolescents and young adults;
- Household-like contacts of a case;
- People exposed to smokers;
- People who live in crowded households;
- People with a recent upper respiratory tract infection; and
- People who practice intimate kissing with multiple partners.
Infection with bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis causes meningococcal disease. In previous years in NSW, serogroup B meningococcal bacteria have been responsible for about half of the cases of meningococcal disease and serogroup C is for about one third. More recently, the proportion of cases due to meningococcal C has fallen to about one tenth of all cases. Meningococcal C vaccine was introduced in NSW schools in 2003 and this is probably the reason that fewer people now have meningococcal disease caused by this strain.
Early symptoms of meningococcal disease may include leg pain, abnormal skin colour and cold hands and feet. Later symptoms may include fever, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, headache, neck stiffness, a dislike of bright lights, and a blotchy red rash that may change quickly. Not all of the symptoms of meningococcal disease may be present. Babies and very young children may have less specific symptoms such as refusing feeds, irritability and a high-pitched cry.
A fact sheet on meningococcal disease can be found at:
