Dr Toby Gardner says meningococcal hard to detect with symptoms like other illnesses

The potentially fatal meningococcal disease is back on the radar in Tasmania with two new cases detected. What doctors want you to look out for.

Meningococcal meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid smear containing neutrophils with and without bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, 3D illustration

The first cases in Tasmania this year of the potentially fatal meningococcal disease have been detected – prompting a warning to be alert for symptoms.

Doctors have warned meningococcal is difficult to diagnose and renewed calls for a free vaccination for the B strain.

Only one case of meningococcal disease was detected in Tasmania last year.

Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, confirmed a woman in her 50s from the Kingborough area and a woman in her 60s from the greater had both been diagnosed with meningococcal B infection in the past week.

Tasmania's Director of Public Health Mark Veitch speaks to the media at Cambridge on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Both women have been treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital and the cases are not believed to be linked.

“Detecting and treating cases quickly can save lives, which means anyone with suspected meningococcal infection needs to seek emergency medical care immediately,” Dr Veitch said.

“The symptoms of meningococcal disease can include fever, severe headache, neck pain or stiffness, drowsiness or confusion, severe muscle pain, and rash.

“People with meningococcal disease can go from feeling well to being extremely ill very quickly.”

“Babies and infants may not have these symptoms but can be unsettled or drowsy, pale or blotchy, floppy, and not feeding.”

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Tasmanian chair Dr Toby Gardner said meningococcal disease was difficult to diagnose.

“Half the patients who present to their GP or emergency department are sent home because the symptoms are so non-specific and mimic any respiratory disease,” he said.

“We have lobbied to have a B strain vaccination made freely available in Tasmania as it is in some other state jurisdictions.”

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch speaks to the media at the Executive Building in Hobart on Thursday, February 1, 2024.

Dr Veitch said meningococcal disease was a rare but serious infection and was more common during winter and spring, but could occur at any time, in any place, and affect people of any age.

He encouraged Tasmanians to get a four-strain meningococcal vaccine for strains A, C, W and Y which is free on the National Immunisation Program for all children aged 12 months and adolescents aged 14 to 19 years.

Dr Veitch urged anyone with suspected meningococcal disease to seek emergency medical care immediately.

He said a different vaccine against the meningococcal B strain was provided free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under 2 years old.

Dr Veitch said people of all ages with certain medical conditions that increased their risk of invasive meningococcal disease were also eligible for NIP-funded meningococcal vaccines.

Originally published as Dr Toby Gardner says meningococcal hard to detect with symptoms like other illnesses