Spilt Milk: Festival goers warned about potential meningococcal disease

A warning has been issued to revellers who attended Spilt Milk music festival in Canberra, with authorities asking for those to monitor for symptoms of meningococcal disease.

Spilt Milk.

People who attended the recent Spilt Milk festival in Canberra are on “alert” for symptoms of meningococcal disease and to “act immediately” if they appear.

A spokesman from ACT Health has confirmed a NSW resident is hospitalised at Canberra Hospital with the disease. The spokesman said ACT health was working closely with NSW health and “close contacts” are being identified and contacted directly.

ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said while the disease was uncommon, it can be severe and lead to lifelong complications or death.

Dr Kerryn Coleman. Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin

“We are urging people who attended the Spilt Milk festival … in Canberra on the weekend to be aware of the symptoms of meningococcal disease,” Dr Coleman said.

“One of the more well-known symptoms is a rash but this may not be present at all, or may come very late in the illness.”

The symptoms associated with the disease are “non-specific” and may not present at once, but they do include a sudden onset of fever, headache, neck stiffness, joint pain, a rash of red-purple spots or bruises and a potential dislike of bright lights.

For young children they might experience irritability, difficulty waking, high-pitched crying and refusing to eat.

“People can carry meningococcal bacteria in their throats and not have symptoms, but pass it on to close contacts,” Dr Coleman said.

“If you suspect symptoms of meningococcal disease, please seek medical review immediately.”

According to ACT Health people between 15 to 25 and children under five are at the greatest risk of contracting the disease and while it is less common due to vaccinations, people are urged to “protect” themselves and the community.

The meningococcal ACWY vaccination is free for all children under the of 12 months along with adolescents and people of all ages with certain medical conditions as part of the National Immunisation Program.

For more information on meningococcal disease visit https://health.act.gov.au/about-our-health-system/population-health/fact-sheets