Child contracts strain of deadly meningococcal as WA cases continue to rise

Another child has been diagnosed with the deadly W strain of meningococcal disease in Western Australia, the third case in a week.

The child, who is aged under 10, is recovering in hospital.

It is the third diagnosed case of the life-threatening meningococcal W disease in the past week and the 11th so far this year, which the Health Department says is “well above the long-term average” of less than one W-strain case per year.

Those who have been in close contact with all three recent cases have been contacted by the department and provided with information, and in some cases antibiotics and a vaccine.

The new case comes after Albany teenager Lloyd Dunham died after contracting the W strain of meningococcal while holidaying in Tasmania.

Facts about meningococcal disease:

• It is not common, but it is potentially life-threatening.
• It can cause disabilities if not treated.
• It is caused by bacterial infection of the blood, or the membranes that line the spinal cord and brain.
• The bacteria is carried harmlessly in the back of the nose and throat by between 10 and 20 per cent of the population.
• Symptoms may include fever, chills, aches, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and confusion.
• While the majority of people fully recover, infection can progress quickly and about 5 per cent will die.

Meningococcal disease is on the rise again in WA after decreasing dramatically over time, from a peak of 86 cases in 2000, down to 16 in 2013.

But last year 23 cases were reported in WA, and there have been 19 so far in 2017.

The department said the increase was due to the emergence of new virulent strains of serogroup W, and to a lesser extent serogroup Y, meningococcal bacteria.

Source: Young child contracts strain of deadly meningococcal as WA cases continue to rise – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)