Meningococcal outbreak: 386,000 kids have not been jabbed against deadly disease

Queensland is in the midst of an outbreak of an invasive form of a vicious and deadly disease, sparking a warning from health authorities who say close to 400,000 children face heightened risk.

A massive 386,000 Queensland children have no protection against meningococcal as the state experiences an outbreak of Invasive Meningococcal Disease, sparking a stern warning from the chief health officer

Dr John Gerrard is concerned that only 14 per cent of children have been vaccinated against the disease as he cautions that IMD is a life-threatening bacterial infection.

Even with antibiotic treatment, invasive meningococcal disease causes death in five to 10 per cent of cases.

The Tropical Public Health Services is currently investigating the third probable case of meningococcal in the area and are administering antibiotics to close contacts of the case.

Outbreaks of more than one case are rare.

Queensland Health Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard. Picture, John Gass

“My thoughts are with the families and communities affected by the recent outbreak in Cairns.

Even in well-vaccinated populations, outbreaks of diseases can occur, highlighting the critical importance of vaccination in protecting public health,” he said.

IMD can be influenced by an increase in influenza cases and natural fluctuations in disease can occur.

“The current influenza season in Queensland may have contributed to the outbreak as we know that influenza can increase the risk of IMD. As influenza cases decline in Queensland, I hope to see a corresponding decrease in IMD cases,” Dr Gerrard said.

The chief health officer is urging parents with eligible children to get their kids vaccinated against all vaccine-preventable strains of meningococcal — A, B, C, W and Y.

“The MenB vaccine is effective in protecting young children and teenagers. It offers protection during the peak risk periods, likely providing protection for at least two years,” he said.

There are 13 known meningococcal serogroups but serogroups A, B, C, W and Y are the most common causes of disease. The bacteria that cause IMD are carried in the nose and throat of many people but only a small percentage develop the disease.

The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Program. Queensland rolled out the MenB Vaccination program this year, making it available to eligible infants and children under two, and adolescents.

Queensland Health reports that the third child to contract the disease in Far North Queensland is an infant who is in a critical condition. The child was partially vaccinated but too young for the second vaccine.

The infant had no known connections to two other cases in Yarrabah.

A third case of meningococcal has infected a baby boy from Cairns who was rushed to Townsville University Hospital. Picture: GoFundMe

Dr Paul Dugdale, the Acting Director of Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns) said meningococcal disease was caused by bacteria transmitted by close contact.

“At any given time, meningococcal bacteria are carried by about 10 per cent of the population silently at the back of the throat or in the nose,” he said.

“The bacteria can be spread via droplets from the nose or throat during coughing and sneezing or close contact such as kissing,” he said.

Environments where people are in close contact, such as daycare centres, school camps, parties and nightclubs, make it easier for the bacteria to spread.