Meningococcal outbreak leaves five-month-old Cairns baby fighting for life

A five-month-old Far North Queensland baby boy is fighting for his life with a suspected case of severe meningococcal, as health authorities warn of a potential outbreak.

A five-month-old Far North Queensland baby boy is fighting for his life with a suspected case of severe meningococcal, as health authorities warn of a potential outbreak.

The baby, who the Cairns Post has chosen not to name in respect to privacy of the family, was rushed to the paediatric intensive care unit of the Townsville University Hospital for emergency treatment after his condition quickly deteriorated at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service at the weekend.

Covered in purple, blotchy-looking skin sores, the boy has been sedated and administered heavy doses of antibiotics by doctors while tests have been ordered to confirm a meningococcal septicaemia diagnosis.

In response to the baby’s fight for life, Tropical Public Health Services on Monday issued an updated warning about a meningococcal outbreak understood to have its origin in Yarrabah.

The five-month-old baby is fighting for life in Townsville Hospital after being stuck down with a severe case of meningococcal septicaemia. Picture: GoFundMe

The boy, from Cairns’ northern beaches, is thought to be the third case of the potentially fatal infection to be detected after two young people from the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah were treated last month.

Acting director of Tropical Public Health Services Dr Paul Dugdale said the team was currently investigating links between the Yarrabah cases and the Cairns northern beaches case.

“As such, we have expanded the meningococcal outbreak warning for the Cairns area,” Dr Dugdale said.

“We will be administering antibiotics to close contacts of the infant.

“We will also work with GPs to increase meningococcal B vaccination coverage.”

Meningococcal is a relatively rare illness, however the disease can cause serious illness marked by a rapid deterioration, Dr Dugdale said.

“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.”

A crowd-funding campaign has been set up by the boy’s aunt to help his mother and father.

More than $8000 has been raised since the appeal went live on Sunday.

The boy’s aunt wrote on the crowd-funding campaign that three siblings had been left with a family friend in Cairns while his mother anxiously waited by her son’s bedside for a miracle.

“With loss of income, rent and utilities, food, accommodation … general living away from home expenses, and travel costs between home and the hospital, we are calling on the community to help (them) get through this difficult time,” she said.

In a devastating GoFundMe post the aunt said the medical team in Townsville had advised the boy had very few outcomes available left to him given the rapid progression of the infection.

“Things went downhill quickly,” she said.

“For the time being, it’s either life support being switched off or loss of limbs and brain function if he does pull through.”

Dr Dugdale warned people should seek immediate medical attention if there is any suspicion that their baby has contracted the infection.

“Early treatment with antibiotics can be lifesaving,” he said.

“In Australia, a free meningococcal ACWY vaccine is provided for children at 12 months of age and in Year 10 of secondary school or aged 15 to 19 years.”

The CHHHS in a statement said the infant was in a serious but stable condition.

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Originally published as Meningococcal outbreak leaves five-month-old Cairns baby fighting for life