Public health alert issued after teenager who attended schoolies fell ill with meningococcal

A public health alert has been issued after a teenager who attended schoolies fell ill with the deadly meningococcal disease. Doctors are urging anyone with symptoms to seek treatment.

Wave of the day at Mooloolaba Beach at 10.30. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

A public health alert has been issued in Queensland following notification a Victorian teenager who celebrated Schoolies on the Sunshine Coast had fallen ill with the deadly meningococcal disease.

The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service issued the public health alert late Wednesday, hours after a Victorian Department of Health official said they had been notified an 18-year-old, who attended the end of Year 12 celebration in Maroochydore in November, had been diagnosed with a meningococcal infection.

“The close contact between young people at events like Schoolies may have placed them at an increased risk of contracting this infection,” Victoria’s deputy chief health officer Associate Professor Deborah Friedman said.

A Victorian teenager has fallen ill with a meningococcal infection after celebrating schoolies in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast in November. Picture: John McCutcheon

“Although meningococcal infections are uncommon thanks to vaccination, people who attended social venues in Maroochydore between 26 November and 2 December should be alert to symptoms and act immediately if they appear.

“Symptoms of meningococcal disease may not all be present at once, but may include sudden onset of fever, headache, neck stiffness, joint pain, a rash of red-purple spots or bruises, dislike of bright lights, nausea, and vomiting.”

Professor Friedman said young children could have non-specific symptoms, including irritability, difficulty waking, high-pitched crying, and refusal to eat.

“People who suspect symptoms of this disease should immediately seek medical attention – early treatment for meningococcal is lifesaving,” she said.

Doctors urge anyone experiencing meningococcal symptoms to seek immediate treatment, especially if they went to schoolies on the Sunshine Coast this year. Picture: John McCutcheon

Meningococcal disease can occur year-round, with increases usually seen in late winter and early spring.

Children under the age of five and those aged 15 to 25 are at the greatest risk of contracting the disease, although it can effect all age groups.

Meningococcal disease is caused by certain strains of bacteria that can be found in the upper respiratory tract in a proportion of the population.

It can spread from person to person through close or prolonged contact, such as between household members or intimate partners.

Victoria has reported 14 cases of meningococcal disease to date in 2022.

A Queensland Health spokesman said the Sunshine state had recorded 32 meningococcal cases so far this year, including two on the Sunshine Coast.

Originally published as Public health alert issued after teenager who attended schoolies fell ill with meningococcal