Australian Defence Force Academy cadet diagnosed with meningococcal

THE Australian Defence Force Academy was put into lockdown at the weekend after a female cadet was diagnosed with meningococcal disease.

JUNE, 2003 : Generic photo of soldier on lookout during exercises, 06/03. Australian Armed Forces / Army / Exercise

A FEMALE cadet from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is in a critical condition after being diagnosed with meningococcal disease.

The Officer Cadet presented to a medical health unit at the Duntroon army training base on Saturday night with flu-like symptoms, before being quickly transferred to Canberra Hospital for treatment of the potentially deadly disease.

Because a meningococcal diagnosis couldn’t be confirmed without further laboratory testing, ADFA was put into lock down Saturday to prevent the possible spreading of the bacterial infection.

The lockdown was later lifted, following discussions with ACT Health.

The Officer Cadet remains in the intensive care unit of Canberra Hospital.

ACT Health chief health officer on duty Paul Dugdale said officials worked with the Joint Health Command to provide preventive antibiotics to the seven cadets that live on the same floor of the barracks as the patient.

“We have worked closely with Joint Health Command and ADFA to stop any spread of meningococcal disease between the cadets or out to the wider community,” Dr Dugdale said.

“ADFA’s preventive use of vaccination and their rapid diagnosis and the local public health response have been impressive.”

Public Health Officials are not aware of any other cases in the ACT.

The Australian Defence Force said in a statement that no one else had presented with meningococcal symptoms and members had been encouraged to seek medical advice immediately if they displayed any.

ADFA was locked down on Saturday night when a cadet presented with meningococcal symptoms.

The Duntroon Health Centre is on high alert to lookout for further cases of the disease among the cadets.

“Defence will continue to provide support to the member’s family and ACT Health as required,” the ADF statement read.

“A small number of officer cadets and midshipmen with a history of close contact with the patient have been provided with medical support.”

The Australian Defence Force said it had taken all necessary precautions and would continue to work with ACT Public Health to prevent spread of the disease.

It is not known what type of meningococcal disease the patient has – A, B or C.

Cadets are routinely vaccinated against meningococcal C, the most aggressive form of the disease.

The diagnosis comes after a boy died from the bacterial infection in the New England region of NSW last week.

Meningococcal Australia launched a campaign yesterday to ensure children were vaccinated against the disease.

Australia is entering the peak season for the bacterial infection, with rates doubling in the winter months.

Symptoms are usually flu-like but also include a rash that forms in purple blotches.

Originally published as Australian Defence Force Academy cadet diagnosed with meningococcal