A child in Western Australia and a Victorian teenager who attended Schoolies celebrations in Queensland have change into the most recent individuals identified with the possibly lethal meningococcal illness.
An pressing alert was issued by the Victorian Department of Health on Wednesday after it was confirmed {the teenager}, 18, had been contaminated.
A spokesman stated the woman had attended Schoolies in Maroochydore, north of Brisbane.
Anyone who has visited the Sunshine Coast metropolis between November 26 and December 2 to be alert to signs and act “immediately” if they seem.
“People who suspect symptoms of this disease should immediately seek medical attention – early treatment for meningococcal is lifesaving,” deputy chief well being officer Deborah Friedman stated.
“The close contact between young people at events like Schoolies may have placed them at an increased risk of contracting this infection.”
The WA Health Department stated an toddler had been identified with meningococcal serogroup B illness and was at present recovering.
The new instances come following the dying of a NSW teenager, who contracted the illness after she attended Canberra’s Spilt Milk music competition.
There have been 17 meningococcal instances reported in WA this yr — 12 have been serogroup B, three have been serogroup W and two have been serogroup Y.
In Victoria this yr, there have been 14 reported instances of meningococcal illness reported.
Health authorities say the illness is brought on by particular strains of micro organism discovered within the higher respiratory tract, generally infecting kids below 5 and other people aged 15 to 25.
Symptoms can embody sudden onset of fever, headache, neck stiffness, joint ache, a rash of red-purple spots or bruises, dislike of vivid lights, nausea and vomiting.
Vaccinations imply an infection is unusual, however can at instances be deadly.
Associate Professor Friedman stated vaccinations have been one of the best ways for individuals to guard themselves and their family members.
Originally revealed as Victorian teen, 18, identified with meningococcal after Qld Schoolies
