Source : Perth Now news
A young adult in Adelaide is fighting for life after being diagnosed with invasive meningococcal disease.
The patient’s case was identified as serogroup B meningococcal disease, and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Authorities have traced seven close contacts for the young adult, and will receive clearance antibiotics to prevent further transmission of the disease.
Health Minister Blair Boyer said meningococcal needed to be taken seriously.
“We need to just remember that this can be fatal,” he said.
“I think sometimes there can be a tendency for us to get a bit blasé about things like this because we think they might be a problem of the past … they’re not a problem of the past.”
South Australia has recorded 22 cases of the potentially deadly disease this year, increasing from 13 cases at the same time last year.
“That’s a pretty serious number and the way we protect ourselves and protect our loved ones is by taking advantage of the vaccination that is there,” he said.
Chief Public Heath Officer Nicola Spurrier urged South Australians to get vaccinated.
Meningococcal B vaccines are free in South Australia for children aged six week to 12 months, and students in year 10.
“The kids most at risk are the young children,” she said.
“The other hiughest risk group is 15 to 20-year-olds, and that’s why we have the school-based program.”
The disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus. There are 13 different types of the disease, however type B and type W are the most infectious in Australia.
Symptoms of meningococcal include a skin rash, vomiting, neck stiffness, headache, fever, and sensitivity to light.
Untreated, meningococcal can lead to inflammation of the spinal cord and lining of the brain – known as meningitis – as well as septicaemia or pneumonia.
“Septicaemia from meningococcal disease can cause shock and death within hours of the onset of symptoms,” a SA Health statement read.
In Australia, between 5 and 10 per cent of those with meningococcal can die even with rapid treatment.
