Six-month-old Launceston baby diagnosed with meningococcal B disease

A six-month-old baby has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease, the state’s 10th case this year.

UPDATED: A SIX-MONTH-OLD baby from Launceston has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease in the state’s 10th case this year.

The baby was on Tuesday night in a stable condition at the Launceston General Hospital, receiving treatment for the B strain of the acute bacterial infection.

Public Health director Mark Veitch said the service was working with the child’s family and other close contacts to minimise the risk of further infection.

There have been five cases of W strain — including the death of 16-year-old Sarah Rose Beltz in July — one case of Y strain and four cases of B strain in the state this year.

Seven of the cases were in the South, two in the North and one in the North-West. On average, Tasmania has about six cases of meningococcal disease annually.

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Meningococcal B is the only common strain of the disease that isn’t part of a vaccination program, with the recommended doses costing up to $470 per person on a private prescription.

It is understood that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has not been satisfied with the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of strain-B vaccine Bexsero as part of a population-wide program.

The State Government continues to fund a free meningococcal ACWY jab for all Tasmanians aged between six weeks and 21 years.

“The free meningococcal ACWY vaccine is available from GPs, some council clinics, and anyone aged over 10 years can get it free from authorised pharmacists,” Dr Veitch said.

“This program started in late July in response to a community outbreak of meningococcal W disease in the northern suburbs of Hobart, and the high statewide rate for two years.”

The vaccination campaign has been the most successful mass immunisation program in the state’s history. Earlier this month, the Mercury reported that almost 90,000 young Tasmanians had received the free ACWY shot in just 11 weeks, with all age groups between zero and 17 recording a 67 per cent or higher vaccination rate.

Dr Veitch said people with meningococcal disease can go from feeling well to extremely unwell very quickly.

“If you or your child has seen a doctor but get worse, go back to your doctor or to the nearest emergency department — don’t wait,” he said.

Symptoms include a fever, severe aches and pains, headache, drowsiness and confusion. Infants can be distressed, limp, pale and feed poorly.

Visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/menw for more information.