Two more cases of meningococcal disease in WA
Two more Western Australians have been diagnosed with meningococcal disease.
The Department of Health issues a statement on Monday evening saying two young adults were recovering in hospital after contracting the disease.
Although treatable with antibiotics, meningococcal infection can progress very rapidly, so it is important that anyone experiencing symptoms seeks medical attention promptly.
It's understood one was diagnosed with serogroup Y strain while the other with serogroup W.
So far this year eight people have contracted meningococcal, and the department said despite the number of meningococcal cases dropping off in recent years, the disease was again on the rise due to new strains of serogroup W and Y.
It was at its peak last year, with 46 cases reported in 2017 in comparison to just 23 cases in 2016.
Meningococcal disease is an acute bacterial infection that can cause death within hours if not recognised and treated in time.
The disease is most common in babies and toddlers and teenagers and young adults but can occur at any age.
Symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and joint pain.
Young children may have a fever, appear lethargic, have a pale or blotchy complexion or a rash or be vomiting.
In rare cases, if untreated the disease can lead to death.
The vaccine which protects against the rare serogroup C type of meningococcal disease is provided free to children at 12 months of age.
A vaccine against the common serogroup B meningococcal infection is available on prescription.
Combination vaccines which protect against the four serogroups – A, W, Y and C - are also available on prescription, or are provided free for young children and adolescents.
As a result of the increase in serogroup W and Y disease in WA over the past three years, a funded state-wide meningococcal ACWY vaccination program for adolescents aged 15 to 19 years commenced in 2017.
In 2018 and 2019, the program is targeting incoming year 10 students in schools, while other individuals aged between 15 and 19-years-old can currently continue to access free catch-up vaccination through other immunisation providers.
The state-funded meningococcal ACWY vaccine program was expanded to include children aged one to four years in January this year, and vaccines for young children are currently available from GPs and other childhood immunisation providers.