A case of invasive meningococcal disease has been notified in a 16 month old baby from metropolitan Adelaide. The baby has been admitted to hospital and is in a critical condition.

SA Health has identified multiple people who had contact with the patient, of which eight people have been directed to receive antibiotic chemoprophylaxis.

Meningococcal health information has been distributed to contacts in accordance with the Invasive Meningococcal Disease Communicable Diseases Network Australia: National Guidelines for Public Health Units.

There have been 21 cases of invasive meningococcal disease reported in South Australia this year, compared to 27 cases recorded at the same time last year.

A total of 30 cases were reported in 2015.

For more information about meningococcal disease, visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au.

SOURCE: SA Health Department