Latest news with #meningococcal
SBS Australia
a day ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
Meningococcal peak season begins, experts warn
Meningococcal peak season begins, experts warn Published 14 July 2025, 9:09 am Experts are warning young adults and parents of young children to be aware of early symptoms of meningococcal disease, as Australia enters its peak season. The bacterial infection can accelerate rapidly, in many cases causing death or leading to life-changing complications.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Aussie state on edge as sixth case of deadly disease emerges this year
A West Australian man has been hospitalised with meningococcal disease marking the state's sixth case of the deadly disease this year. WA Health said on Tuesday the man had been diagnosed with meningococcal Type B and was recovering in hospital. Six cases have so far been recorded this year across the state. In 2024 a total of 13 cases were recorded along with one death. Meningococcal disease is not easily spread and is a relatively uncommon illness. While the bacteria can be found in droplets discharged through sneezing and coughing, it is not spread by saliva and cannot survive more than a few seconds in the environment. Where it is contracted, however, the disease can kill anywhere from five to ten per cent of its patients while leaving a further 15 per cent with long-term complications. In severe cases, it can kill patients within 24 hours of contracting the disease. WA Health said long-term complications may include hearing loss, limb amputations and brain damage. 'Although meningococcal infection is treatable with antibiotics, it can progress very rapidly, so it is important that anyone with these symptoms seek medical attention urgently,' WA Health said in a statement on Tuesday. Common symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, confusion and severe muscle and joint pains. Sometimes, but not always, patients will develop a spotty red-purple rash with the appearance of small bleeding points under the skin. Young children may present with fever, pale or blotchy complexion, vomiting, lethargy, poor feeding and rash. Four cases of the disease were recorded by WA Health in a single week in April, two of which were recorded by siblings in the same household. Three of those four cases were identified as Type B, prompting calls for the state government to increase funding for the Type B vaccine. Type B meningococcal is the most likely strain to cause serious illness. There are two types of meningococcal vaccines - one designed to protect against Types A, C, W and Y and another for Type B. The combined vaccine for A, C, W and Y strains is free for children aged 12-months under the National Immunisation Program while the Type B vaccine is not. Due to its higher prevalence among Aboriginal children in WA, the Type B vaccine is offered free to Aboriginal children up to 12 months old. It was made free for children and adolescents in South Australia in 2018 leading to a 60 per cent reduction in infant cases and 73 per cent for adolescents. Queensland and the Northern Territory have since rolled out free Type B vaccination programs for adolescents. Without subsidies, a single Type B jab can cost hundreds of dollars. Last year, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) called on the WA Government to close this 'huge gap in immunisation coverage'. 'We know that this vaccine is safe and effective – it's the best protection against this deadly disease,' RACGP Western Australia chair, Dr Ramya Raman said. 'Making this vaccine free for kids and at-risk age groups will save lives.'
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
14-Year-Old Boy Dies from Rare Bacterial Infection Just Days After Showing Signs of Symptoms: ‘Brought Joy Everywhere'
A 14-year-old boy in South Carolina died within days of becoming ill with a rare bacterial infection William 'Will' Hand died on June 8 from meningococcal septicemia after the infection got into his bloodstream A doctor said the illness spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions and through sharing everyday items like beveragesA 14-year-old boy in South Carolina died of a rare infection within days of showing symptoms. William 'Will' Hand of Greenville died on Sunday, June 8, according to his online obituary and local news outlet Fox Carolina. His mother, Megan, told the outlet that Will had meningococcal septicemia, also known as meningococcemia, and that the infection got into his bloodstream. Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch, an infectious disease specialist at Prisma Health Children's Hospital, where Will was treated, told Fox Carolina that infections of this nature happen 'so quickly,' adding, 'sometimes it is very hard to save the person who is infected with the bacteria.' Dr. Burch told the outlet that the illness spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions and through sharing everyday items like beverages. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting, per the Cleveland Clinic. It can also cause a rash that does not fade when pressed. 'We call it a petechial rash because it looks like broken blood vessels underneath the skin,' Dr. Burch said of the rash while speaking to Fox Carolina. 'It's not a typical rash that you would get with, let's say, a viral infection. If you put your finger on it and press down really hard, the rash will stay there." The Centers for Disease Control states that meningococcal disease is 'uncommon,' though they note that early intervention with antibiotics is critical for treatment. Vaccines are the 'best protection' against the infection, per the CDC. Will is described by loved ones as having 'a joyful spirit, quick smile and magnetic energy,' per his online obituary. "His loss leaves a void that can never be filled," they added. 'Will was a highlight of many people's day — equal parts athlete, comedian, music lover, and loyal friend,' the obituary states, adding, "His teammates, coaches, and friends knew him as the life of party.' The teen was also known for 'turning everyday moments into unforgettable memories. Whether it was walking to CVS ... with his friends, or re-enacting WWE wrestling, he brought joy everywhere he went,' the obituary continued. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Will had just completed 8th grade at Hughes Academy in Greenville. He is survived by his parents, William and Megan, as well as two sisters and a brother, per the obituary. A celebration of Will's life was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville on Friday, June 13. In lieu of flowers, Will's parents asked that donations be sent to Prisma Health Children's Hospital, 'where the critical care team fought tenaciously to keep our son alive.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
14-Year-Old Boy Dies from Rare Bacterial Infection Just Days After Showing Signs of Symptoms: ‘Brought Joy Everywhere'
A 14-year-old boy in South Carolina died within days of becoming ill with a rare bacterial infection William 'Will' Hand died on June 8 from meningococcal septicemia after the infection got into his bloodstream A doctor said the illness spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions and through sharing everyday items like beveragesA 14-year-old boy in South Carolina died of a rare infection within days of showing symptoms. William 'Will' Hand of Greenville died on Sunday, June 8, according to his online obituary and local news outlet Fox Carolina. His mother, Megan, told the outlet that Will had meningococcal septicemia, also known as meningococcemia, and that the infection got into his bloodstream. Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch, an infectious disease specialist at Prisma Health Children's Hospital, where Will was treated, told Fox Carolina that infections of this nature happen 'so quickly,' adding, 'sometimes it is very hard to save the person who is infected with the bacteria.' Dr. Burch told the outlet that the illness spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions and through sharing everyday items like beverages. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting, per the Cleveland Clinic. It can also cause a rash that does not fade when pressed. 'We call it a petechial rash because it looks like broken blood vessels underneath the skin,' Dr. Burch said of the rash while speaking to Fox Carolina. 'It's not a typical rash that you would get with, let's say, a viral infection. If you put your finger on it and press down really hard, the rash will stay there." The Centers for Disease Control states that meningococcal disease is 'uncommon,' though they note that early intervention with antibiotics is critical for treatment. Vaccines are the 'best protection' against the infection, per the CDC. Will is described by loved ones as having 'a joyful spirit, quick smile and magnetic energy,' per his online obituary. "His loss leaves a void that can never be filled," they added. 'Will was a highlight of many people's day — equal parts athlete, comedian, music lover, and loyal friend,' the obituary states, adding, "His teammates, coaches, and friends knew him as the life of party.' The teen was also known for 'turning everyday moments into unforgettable memories. Whether it was walking to CVS ... with his friends, or re-enacting WWE wrestling, he brought joy everywhere he went,' the obituary continued. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Will had just completed 8th grade at Hughes Academy in Greenville. He is survived by his parents, William and Megan, as well as two sisters and a brother, per the obituary. A celebration of Will's life was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville on Friday, June 13. In lieu of flowers, Will's parents asked that donations be sent to Prisma Health Children's Hospital, 'where the critical care team fought tenaciously to keep our son alive.' Read the original article on People
ABC News
14-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Two women are being treated for meningococcal B in the Royal Hobart Hospital
Mark Veitch We normally have between one and five cases of meningococcal disease a year in Tasmania. They don't occur, they can occur randomly through the year. They tend to happen a little bit more often during winter and spring. So it's not surprising that we would have two within a week or so of each other. Our team has looked carefully into each case and there's not found any links between the social or other connections of the people. Leon Compton What do Tasmanians need to know to keep themselves as safe as possible, Mark? Mark Veitch They need to know that meningococcal disease does occur and that it's rare and that people with meningococcal disease are obviously sick. They will have significant fevers, aches and pains. They'll be really quite unwell. It's worse than a typical cough or cold or flu and it's very important that they get urgent medical care if they do that. The public also needs to know that there's a way of preventing meningococcal disease. There are two vaccines available, one against ACW and Y strains and that's given routinely at age 12 months and in early high school but people of other ages can purchase it. Group B disease is prevented by a specific vaccine and the vaccine for that is available. It is available for the whole population aged over six weeks but it's free for the people at the highest risk of B disease which are Aboriginal Tasmanians and Australians and people with medical conditions that affect their immunity. But anybody who's got concerns can talk to their GP or their pharmacist about meningococcal vaccines. Leon Compton And it's not cheap, right? If you're trying to get that and you're not one of those cohorts who gets it subsidised, it's not a cheap vaccination, meningococcal B? Mark Veitch It's not Leon, it's around $100 a dose and you need between one dose for the ACWY vaccine for people outside the NIP eligible age group but you need between either two or three doses depending on your age for the B group vaccine. Leon Compton And just the main symptoms, briefly? Mark Veitch The main symptoms are that people are really sick. This is someone who is well in the morning and is obviously sicker than they've probably ever been before. They have a fever, severe aches and pains, a headache, they may have a rash. In a baby, these symptoms may not be so obvious. They may just be not eating so well, they may be a bit blotchy or floppy but people would notice that their baby is distinctly unwell and I know that most people would seek urgent medical care when those sort of arise.
