Baby diagnosed with potentially deadly meningococcal

A West Australian child has been recognized with the uncommon however doubtlessly lethal meningococcal illness.

WA Health confirmed the an infection on Wednesday afternoon, warning dad and mom the illness can “progress very rapidly” if left untreated.

“An infant has been diagnosed with meningococcal serogroup B disease and is currently recovering,” a WA Health spokesman mentioned.

“Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, life-threatening illness caused by a bacterial infection of the blood and/or the membranes that line the spinal cord and brain, and occasionally of other sites, such as the throat, lungs or large joints.”

The illness can result in mind injury, listening to loss and even drive docs to amputate limbs.

It is deadly in 5 to 10 per cent of instances, in response to WA Health.

Seventeen meningococcal infections have been reported to well being authorities thus far in 2022.

“Meningococcal bacteria are not easily spread from person to person,” the spokesman mentioned.

“The bacterium is present in droplets discharged from the nose and throat when coughing or sneezing, but is not spread by saliva and does not survive more than a few seconds in the environment.

“Meningococcal bacteria are carried harmlessly in the back of the nose and throat by about 10 to 20 per cent of the population at any one time. Very rarely, the bacteria invade the bloodstream or tissues and cause serious infections.

“Sometimes – but not always – symptoms may be accompanied by the appearance of a spotty red-purple rash that looks like small bleeding points beneath the skin or bruises.”