Ballarat Grammar staff member contracts meningococcal, another undergoing testing

Grampians Health has advised Ballarat residents to be vigilant about symptoms of meningococcal as a local school staff member is treated for the disease.

A female staff member at a regional K-12 school has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease.

In a statement on June 1, Ballarat Grammar in Wendouree confirmed one of its staff members was in hospital being treated for the illness.

Another staff member was tested but returned a negative result.

No students have been identified as close contacts.

“We are working under the direction of the Grampians Public Health Unit, which is coordinating our health response,” the school said.

“We are taking every precaution to keep our boarding and broader school community safe.

“We have identified a small number of staff who are close contacts and no students at this time.

“The staff members within our community who have been identified by the Grampians Public Health Unit as close contacts have been advised and are being closely monitored.”

Meningococcal is caused by bacteria and can be passed on by close or intimate contact.

While it can be deadly, immunisation is available.

The Ballarat Grammar case is the first instance of meningococcal in the Grampians public health region in 2023.

One case was detected in 2022, but none were discovered in the three years prior.

Grampians Health said its public health unit was working with Ballarat Grammar to identify close contacts and take “appropriate precautionary measures”.

“Whilst the risk to the broader community is low, we ask that you please remain vigilant to the symptoms of meningococcal disease,” it said.

“Symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, photophobia (dislike of bright lights), headache, rash of red-purple pinprick spots or larger bruises, vomiting and/or diarrhoea, neck stiffness or aching, general malaise, joint pains and sore muscles, drowsiness, confusion, backache.

“If you or someone close to you has some of these signs, and appears to be much sicker than usual, seek medical attention from your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately.”

On June 2, Grampians Health said the one confirmed case was in a stable condition, and the meningococcal strain had been identified as serotype B.