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18 October 2007 Possible meningococcal case
A teenage girl is in a stable condition in a Hunter hospital with a suspected case of meningococcal disease. Director of Communicable Disease for NSW Health, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the girl recently spent part of the incubation period aboard a cruise ship, the Pacific Sun (P&O) on a Pacific Islands cruise from 1 to 11 October. The cruise began and ended in Sydney. She may have acquired the infection either on the ship or after disembarking. The source of infection is unclear and may be unrelated to the ship. "Close contacts believed to be at highest risk of disease have already been contacted by public health staff and the risk to other passengers is believed to be very low," he said. The first symptoms of meningococcal disease include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour. Later symptoms may include:
In NSW so far this year, there have been 87 cases of meningococcal disease reported to NSW Health which is the same number of cases as were reported for the same period last year. "Early detection and treatment can, in the majority of cases, result in full recovery," Dr McAnulty said. "In most cases the infection is effectively treated with antibiotics but to have the best chance people need to be treated with injectable antibiotics as soon as the infection is suspected. "Anyone who develops these symptoms should see a doctor urgently," he said. People who are under 25 years of age and who did not receive the meningococcal C vaccine at school in 2003, 2004 or 2005 can still receive free vaccine from their general practitioner. For further information please contact your local Public Health Unit or visit the fact sheet on the NSW Health website: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/meningococcal.html For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au |
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