Canberra parents sent warning after student treated for meningococcal
Karabar High School students have been warned to watch for symptoms of meningococcal after a student contracted meningitis. NSW health authorities sent a letter to parents this afternoon saying the student was being treated for meningococcal as a precaution. Close contacts of the student will be required to take antibiotics as a precaution while other […]
Fiji having trouble getting meningitis vaccine
Fiji is having difficulty procuring vaccines for meningococcal disease which has struck the country. FBC News reported the government is working with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to get the meningococcal disease strain C vaccine. The Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, told Parliament there is huge international demand for it making it difficult for […]
Teenager struck down by Men B in South Australia
A case of invasive meningococcal disease has been notified in a 15 year old boy from regional South Australia. The boy is in a stable condition in hospital. The strain has been identified as serogroup B. Meningococcal health information has been distributed to contacts in accordance with the Invasive Meningococcal Disease Communicable Diseases Network Australia: […]
Two WA young adults hospitalised with meningococcal W and Y Strains
The Department of Health today reported that two young adults are currently recovering in separate hospitals after being diagnosed with meningococcal disease. The cases are not linked, and were infected with different types (W and Y) of the organism. Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, life-threatening illness caused by a bacterial infection of the blood and/or […]
Parents of South Australian baby who was killed by meningococcal say they couldn’t afford the vaccine
THE parents of a baby who was killed by meningococcal B disease on the weekend say they couldn’t afford the $350 vaccine. This has prompted calls to make the vaccine affordable for all. The devastated parents say the meningococcal B strain took their son’s life in just two hours. Speaking to 7 News, Jordan Braddock’s […]
6 month old dies from Men B in South Australia
Invasive meningococcal disease has been confirmed in a six-month-old baby from regional South Australia who sadly passed away yesterday. The strain has been identified as serogroup B. This is a very sad and rare event and we offer our sincere condolences to the family at this distressing time. We have identified a number of people […]
Experts warn meningococcal group B meningitis and septicemia is increasing in China
An international group of expert scientists, doctors and public health officials has reported that cases of meningococcal group B meningitis and septicemia (MenB) are increasing in China, and have recommended that an effective MenB vaccination strategy should be in place in preparation for a potential outbreak of the disease. China /CIA There are several different […]
South Australian election 2018: SA Labor promises free meningococcal B vaccines
MENINGOCOCCAL B vaccinations would be free for all children under two, saving families up to $500 per child, under a Labor pledge. SA has among the highest rates of the illness in Australia. Premier Jay Weatherill said the vaccine would be made free if Labor wins the state election this month, making SA the only […]
Free vaccine for deadly disease extended in Kalgoorlie
The WA Country Health Service is extending its free meningococcal vaccination drive because about only half of the targeted Aboriginal children have received a jab. Three Aboriginal children have been diagnosed with meningococcal in Kalgoorlie since November last year, and cases across the State doubled in 2017 compared to 2016. Last year, WA had 46 […]
Mackay Qld, first meningococcal case since 2016
MACKAY Hospital and Health Services has recorded its first case of meningococcal disease since 2016, with a local male diagnosed in recent weeks. The diagnosis, one of six across Queensland so far this year, was made in the week of January 22. Public Health Physician Dr Steven Donohue said the patient, who lives in the […]
