Why measles, meningococcal cases are rising in Australia: How to stay safe

Experts are warning Aussies to be alert amid a rise in meningococcal disease as well as measles. Here’s how to stay safe.

Experts are warning young adults and parents of young children to stay alert for the early signs of meningococcal disease, with Australia now entering its peak season for the potentially deadly infection.

So far this year, 56 cases of meningococcal disease have been reported across Australia, with NSW recording the highest number (18), followed by Queensland (14), Victoria (10), Western Australia (7), South Australia (5), and Tasmania (2).

Annual cases have now climbed above 130 nationally in both of the past two years.

Young children aged 0 to 4 and teenagers aged 15 to 19 remain the most vulnerable groups. The disease can be hard to catch early, as symptoms often appear vague and flu-like.

While most people recover, meningococcal disease can become life-threatening within 24 to 48 hours and proves fatal in up to 10 per cent of cases.

Meanwhile, measles cases are also rising.

Here’s what you need to know about meningococcal disease, how it differs from measles, and the symptoms to watch for.

Paralympian swimmer Jay Dohnt and NSW apprentice Jacob Blackwell are raising awareness about meningococcal disease.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MENINGITIS AND MENINGOCOCCAL?

Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a variety of infections — viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic.

Meningococcal disease, on the other hand, is a specific and serious type of bacterial infection caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It can lead to meningitis — inflammation of the brain and spinal cord linings — and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning).

So while meningococcal disease can cause meningitis, not all cases of meningitis are caused by meningococcal bacteria.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK OF GETTING MENINGOCOCCAL?

Although anyone can get meningococcal disease, certain groups are at higher risk. These include infants, toddlers, adolescents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people who live in close quarters, and people who smoke.

SYMPTOMS OF MENINGOCOCCAL

Symptoms of meningococcal disease can include fever, shakes, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and joint and muscle pain. If meningitis occurs, headaches, neck stiffness and sensitivity to light are also common.

Sometimes, meningococcal disease can also cause a characteristic rash that doesn’t disappear when pressure is applied. It may start as red or purple pinprick spots, or as small bruises.

But not everyone with meningococcal disease will present with a rash. And when it does occur, it’s often a late sign, indicating the infection is well advanced.

Infants and young children may not have the classic symptoms listed above. Instead, they may have difficulty feeding, irritability, a high-pitched cry, pale or blotchy skin, or tiredness and floppiness.

Meningococcal survivor, 23 year old Jacob Blackwell. Photo Jeremy Piper

HOW ARE YOU TREATED?

Getting vaccinated is the best way families can protect themselves from this deadly disease.

Diagnosis is usually made on clinical grounds and confirmed by laboratory tests. Antibiotic treatment should be given immediately for people with suspected or confirmed meningococcal disease and never be delayed by the need to get laboratory specimens.

NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

Meningococcal disease is an ‘urgent’ notifiable condition and must be notified by medical practitioners and pathology services immediately to the Department of Health in your relevant state.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Under the National Immunisation Program, meningococcal ACWY (Men ACWY) vaccine is provided free for babies at 12 months, adolescents, and people of all ages with certain medical conditions.

A meningococcal B vaccine is available to children from six weeks of age to reduce the risk of infection from this strain of the disease. Aboriginal infants and people with certain medical conditions are eligible for free access to this vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.

WHAT IS MEASLES?

Measles is a highly contagious disease with an ongoing global outbreak. In 2024, there were 56 cases of measles in Australia, with the majority caught overseas including in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia.

Measles is a highly contagious disease with an ongoing global outbreak.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MEASLES?

Measles usually affects children, but can infect adults as well. It is best recognised by a red, blotchy rash that typically spreads from the head to the rest of the body.

Symptoms of the viral illness that can appear days before a rash include fever, red or sore eyes, coughing and a runny nose. After a rash, small white spots can develop in the mouth.

Young children and infants with measles may also have diarrhoea. Severe symptoms and complications include ear infections, pneumonia, brain swelling and death.

It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after being exposed. After a local infection was recorded in a Victorian waiting room, patients with symptoms have been asked by health agencies to call ahead to their GP or emergency department to minimise time spent waiting.

Measles is usually considered most infectious from the period a day before rash onset to four days after.

HOW ARE YOU TREATED?

Vaccination is the best defence against measles, and anyone born since 1966 is advised to make sure they have received two doses of the vaccine at least four weeks apart. There is no booster shot needed for measles, as coverage is considered to protect you for life.

The Department of Health particularly recommends measles vaccination for travellers and people who work in healthcare settings, with children or the elderly.

Australians should check with their GP if they’re unsure of their vaccination status, particularly if they’re planning to travel to a country with an ongoing outbreak.

Measles vaccinations are available at a GP or chemist, and are funded for select groups under the National Immunisation Program.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR MEASLES

The measles vaccine is usually administered to children in combination with mumps and rubella as the MMR vaccine, and is given in two doses at 12 and 18 months old.

Vaccination rates for all Australian children have been falling since 2020, with the latest data from the Australian Immunisation Register indicating around 67 per cent of non-Indigenous children are being vaccinated by 13 months old, and only 56 per cent of Indigenous children meeting this target.

The Department of Health has set a goal of 95 per cent vaccination, which it has met for five-year-olds.

These lower rates are driven by lack of access and vaccine hesitancy.

Originally published as Why measles, meningococcal cases are rising in Australia: How to stay safe