Media Release 23 Aug 2007

Meningococcal disease case on the Northern Beaches

An 11 yr old Northern Beaches schoolgirl is being treated for suspected meningococcal disease.

The young girl presented to Mona Vale Hospital with suspected meningococcal disease but was transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick.

She is now in a stable condition and responding well to treatment.

If confirmed, this will be the 8th case of meningococcal disease in the Northern Sydney Central Coast (NSCCH) Area this year.
People who have been in close contact with her have been given antibiotic prophylaxis as a precautionary measure and the girls school have been notified.

Meningococcal disease occurs more commonly in winter and early spring and affects about 150 people in New South Wales each year.

The Director of the Northern Sydney Central Coast Public Health Unit, Dr Peter Lewis, said that though the disease can be serious and life threatening, most people recover completely from meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease has a sudden onset and symptoms may include:
• High temperature
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Irritability
• Weakness or drowsiness
• Stiff neck
• Pin point or purple blotchy rash
• Dislike of bright lights

Though very young children and adolescents are at greatest risk, people of any age can contract meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterial infection and does not spread easily. Close and prolonged contact is usually required for the bacteria to be passed between people.
A NSW Health Fact Sheet on meningococcal disease is available via the NSW Health website www.health.nsw.gov.au

Media Contact:
NSCCH : Penelope Little 9926 7199 / 0413 025 742
Sydney Childrens Hospital: Kylie Rafferty 0411 730 842

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