Media release – Dr Mark Veitch, Director of Public Health, 15 December 2023
Meningococcal disease case in the North
A young female adult from the north of the state is currently in a critical but stable condition in hospital due to invasive meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious infectious disease caused by a bacterium (Neisseria meningitidis).
This is the fifth case of invasive meningococcal disease in Tasmania this year. The strain of the meningococcal bacterium was serogroup B.
Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch said meningococcal disease can occur at any time in any place and affect people of any age.
“Public Health Services thanks the woman’s family and hospital clinicians for their help identifying contacts at this difficult time,” Dr Veitch said.
“Contacts are provided with advice about meningococcal disease, and the closest contacts are prescribed antibiotics in case they have meningococcal bacteria in their throats.”
Since the widespread meningococcal ACWY vaccination program in 2018, there has been a reduction in invasive meningococcal disease in Tasmania. In recent years, there have been between two and four cases per year. Most recent cases are due to serogroup B.
Approximately 1 in 10 people have the meningococcal bacteria living naturally in the back of their nose and throat. In a small number of people, serious strains of the bacteria can infect the body and cause illness, known as invasive meningococcal disease.
The symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, severe headache, confusion, severe muscle pain, and rash. People with meningococcal disease can go from feeling well to being extremely unwell very quickly.
Babies and infants may not have these symptoms but can be unsettled or drowsy, pale or blotchy, floppy and not feeding.
Vaccination against the meningococcal A, C, W and Y strains is routinely provided free as part of the National Immunisation Program for children aged 12 months and as part of the school-based program for students in year 10.
A different vaccine against the meningococcal B strain is available and can be used to protect persons from 6 weeks of age. This vaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants under the National Immunisation Program because of their higher incidence of the infection.
The meningococcal B vaccine is not included in the free National Immunisation Program for the wider population, but is recommended for infants and young children, adolescents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with conditions that impair their immune system, laboratory workers, young adults living in close quarters and smokers.
“I encourage Tasmanians to discuss meningococcal vaccination with their general practitioner, to check that they have received the vaccines they are eligible for, and to consider vaccines they may wish to purchase privately,” Dr Veitch said.
“If you suspect you or someone you care for may have meningococcal disease, seek emergency medical care immediately.”
Further information is available at https://www.health.tas.gov.au/publications/meningococcal-disease.
