Public Health Alert
Increase in meningococcal disease in the greater Wellington region
20 September 2011
20 September 2011
ree cases of meningococcal disease in the last 5 days Regional Public Health (RPH) is reminding all health professionals to maintain a high alert for meningococcal disease. RPH has been notified of 3 confirmed cases in the last 5 days and a further case the previous week. This is a total of 4 cases in the last 12 days.
Three of the cases are young children under the age of 5 years and one is a young adult. Typing to identify which strain of meningococcal disease is pending. Two of the cases live in the Porirua region, one in central Wellington and one in the Hutt Valley. The ill people are not known to each other and there are no identifiable links between them.
Meningococcal disease is notifiable on suspicion to the on-call Medical Officer of Health 04 570 9002
Three of the cases are young children under the age of 5 years and one is a young adult. Typing to identify which strain of meningococcal disease is pending. Two of the cases live in the Porirua region, one in central Wellington and one in the Hutt Valley. The ill people are not known to each other and there are no identifiable links between them.
Meningococcal disease is notifiable on suspicion to the on-call Medical Officer of Health 04 570 9002
Don’t wait – take action!
Some more information…..
* Meningococcal disease is serious and can sometimes cause death or permanent disability such as deafness or disfigurement.
* Meningococcal disease is most common in children under the age of five years, although it can occur at any age.
People need to be alert to the symptoms because meningococcal disease can develop very quickly.
If you notice any of the symptoms of meningococcal disease or have any other concerns, contact your doctor without delay, or call Healthline free on 0800 611 116 at any hour of the day or night, even if you have already been seen by a health professional.The illness
Illness may develop slowly over one or two days, or may develop quickly over a few hours.
Prompt treatment with antibiotics (usually by injection) may prevent death, or permanent disability such as damage to the brain or deafness.
Signs and Symptoms
Meningococcal disease can look like a case of influenza in its early stages, but it quickly gets much worse. The symptoms may not all show up at once. Tell your doctor about any of the following signs and symptoms:
Your baby or child may:
• have a fever
• be crying or unsettled
• refuse drinks or feeds
• vomit
• be sleepy or floppy or harder to wake
• have a stiff neck
• dislike bright lights
• have a rash or spots (see attached photo)
Adults may:
• have a fever and headache
• vomit
• be sleepy, confused, delirious or unconscious
• have a stiff neck
• dislike bright lights
• have joint pain and aching muscles
• have a rash or spots (see attached photo) The rash can occur anywhere on the body. Even one spot on a sick child or adult is important, so show it to your doctor.
Parents and caregivers can also find more information about meningococcal disease on the HealthEd website:
Meningitis (Meningococcal Disease) is Serious
* Meningococcal disease is serious and can sometimes cause death or permanent disability such as deafness or disfigurement.
* Meningococcal disease is most common in children under the age of five years, although it can occur at any age.
People need to be alert to the symptoms because meningococcal disease can develop very quickly.
If you notice any of the symptoms of meningococcal disease or have any other concerns, contact your doctor without delay, or call Healthline free on 0800 611 116 at any hour of the day or night, even if you have already been seen by a health professional.The illness
Illness may develop slowly over one or two days, or may develop quickly over a few hours.
Prompt treatment with antibiotics (usually by injection) may prevent death, or permanent disability such as damage to the brain or deafness.
Signs and Symptoms
Meningococcal disease can look like a case of influenza in its early stages, but it quickly gets much worse. The symptoms may not all show up at once. Tell your doctor about any of the following signs and symptoms:
Your baby or child may:
• have a fever
• be crying or unsettled
• refuse drinks or feeds
• vomit
• be sleepy or floppy or harder to wake
• have a stiff neck
• dislike bright lights
• have a rash or spots (see attached photo)
Adults may:
• have a fever and headache
• vomit
• be sleepy, confused, delirious or unconscious
• have a stiff neck
• dislike bright lights
• have joint pain and aching muscles
• have a rash or spots (see attached photo) The rash can occur anywhere on the body. Even one spot on a sick child or adult is important, so show it to your doctor.
Parents and caregivers can also find more information about meningococcal disease on the HealthEd website:
Meningitis (Meningococcal Disease) is Serious
Additional information:
* There are quite a few bacteria (and some viruses) that can cause meningitis. Some people think they are safe because they were vaccinated, but they were only vaccinated against one type. The information below is from the Regional Public Health Website.
* Immunisation against meningococcal diseaseThe Meningococcal B vaccine is no longer offered because there is no longer an epidemic. Other types of meningococcal vaccines are available for persons with specific risks. Discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
* The vaccines do not protect against all types of meningococcal disease.
* You will need to watch out for signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease whether you or your child have been vaccinated or not.
For more information about meningococcal immunisation:
* freephone 0800 466 863
* check the following websites:
www.moh.govt.nz/immunisation.html<http://www.moh.govt.nz/immunisation/html>
www.healthed.govt.nz<http://www.healthed.govt.nz/>
www.immune.org.nzhttp://www.immune.org.nz/
(Information received via email from Mana Parents Centre 25/9/2011)
* There are quite a few bacteria (and some viruses) that can cause meningitis. Some people think they are safe because they were vaccinated, but they were only vaccinated against one type. The information below is from the Regional Public Health Website.
* Immunisation against meningococcal diseaseThe Meningococcal B vaccine is no longer offered because there is no longer an epidemic. Other types of meningococcal vaccines are available for persons with specific risks. Discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
* The vaccines do not protect against all types of meningococcal disease.
* You will need to watch out for signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease whether you or your child have been vaccinated or not.
For more information about meningococcal immunisation:
* freephone 0800 466 863
* check the following websites:
www.moh.govt.nz/immunisation.html<http://www.moh.govt.nz/immunisation/html>
www.healthed.govt.nz<http://www.healthed.govt.nz/>
www.immune.org.nzhttp://www.immune.org.nz/
(Information received via email from Mana Parents Centre 25/9/2011)