Meningococcal Disease

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 approximately 100 people in NSW each year. 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
people who practice intimate kissing with multiple partners.

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called meningococcus. 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.

Early symptoms 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.

Current information on meningococcal disease:

Ambulance is committed to assisting the community create safer and healthier environments and outcomes by making prevention everyone’s businesses. A number of innovative community education programs have been implemented to assist identify life threatening conditions, understand what to do in an emergency and the importance of adopting illness prevention strategies.