Fear of 11-month-old baby rushed to hospital with terrifying new strain of disease – here are the warning signs to watch out for
- An 11-month-old baby being treated for meningococcal disease
- Baby from rural South Australia is in stable condition
- SA Health identified those who came into contact with the baby
An 11-month-old baby has been rushed to hospital with a serious meningococcal infection as health authorities have established the child’s close contacts.
The toddler is being treated for an invasive case of the contagious disease at a hospital in rural South Australia after testing positive last weekend.
The baby is in a stable condition and health authorities confirm that those who came into contact with the child have been contacted.
SA Health said the strain had been identified as serotype B.
The toddler is being treated for an invasive case of the contagious disease at a hospital in rural South Australia after testing positive last weekend (stock image)
Health authorities have confirmed that those who came into contact with the child have been contacted (photo shows another baby suffering from meningococcal disease)
Health authorities have ordered four people to take antibiotics and urged the community to get vaccinated against the disease to avoid getting sick.
Vaccines fall under national and state-funded projects and are available for babies at six weeks, four months, 12 months, and students in year 10.
There have been three cases of invasive meningococcal disease in SA so far this year, compared to two cases in the same time in 2021.
All three cases were identified as the serotype B strain.
Last year there were 14 cases of the infectious disease in the state.
SA Health has warned those already vaccinated to stay alert as the vaccine does not protect against all strains.