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11 August 2009 Winter warning on meningococcal disease
NSW Health Communicable Diseases Director, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, today reminded the public to be alert to the symptoms of meningococcal disease, a dangerous infection that historically hits hardest during winter and spring. Dr McAnulty said most people who contract the disease make a full recovery, however meningococcal can strike quickly and be fatal. Up to 55 cases of meningococcal disease have been reported so far this year, including two deaths. This number compares to the 40 cases and one death reported for the same period last year. "If anyone develops meningococcal symptoms, it is vital they seek medical treatment immediately and start appropriate antibiotic treatment if the doctor diagnoses possible meningococcal disease", he said. The first symptoms of meningococcal disease may include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour. Later symptoms may include:
It is important for people who have these symptoms to see a doctor without delay. Dr McAnulty said many people associate meningococcal disease with a rash but not all people with meningococcal disease develop a rash or the rash can happen very late in the course of the disease. Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes either meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (blood poisoning). Most cases occur in infants, teenagers and young adults but people of any age group can develop the disease. The two main strains of meningococcal disease in Australia are types B and C. A vaccine is effective against the less common meningococcal C strain, but there is currently no vaccine for the B strain of the disease. Dr McAnulty said people who have had the meningococcal C vaccine should still be on the look out for symptoms because the vaccine doesn't protect against the more common type B infection. "The meningococcal C vaccine is recommended for all babies at 12 months of age and provided free via the National Immunisation Program. In NSW it is also made available free for people up to 25 years of age who have not yet had the vaccine as part of the school-based vaccination program. In 2008/09 NSW Health spent approximately $2 million on the free vaccine program for those aged up to 25 years. "Since the introduction of the meningococcal C vaccine into the routine childhood vaccination schedule and NSW schools program, fewer people have had meningococcal C disease. "Four cases this year were due to type C and 35 were due to type B," said Dr McAnulty. For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au |
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