A meningococcal case has been reported in Tasmania in April, the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System shows.

It is the fifth diagnosed case of invasive meningococcal disease for 2017. Four cases have occurred in the South, and one in the North, Public Health acting director Dr Mark Veitch said.

“Cases ranged in age from one year to over 70 years … none of the cases were connected to each other,” Dr Veitch said. A Trevallyn day care attendee was diagnosed in February and a case occurred in a Southern primary school student in March.

“Meningococcal has increased Australia-wide since 2014, particularly over the last 18 months …. Tasmanian doctors have been alerted to the increase in meningococcal disease,” Dr Veitch said. He said Australia’s chief medical officer established expert groups to coordinate a national response.

Source: The Examiner