Urgent health alert after a man has died and three others have been diagnosed with an infectious disease
- Someone in their fifties died of meningococcus
- A teenager from Sydney, in her sixties recovering
- NSW Health is urging people to be alert to symptoms
People in NSW should be on the alert for meningococcal symptoms after a Sydneysider died of the disease.
NSW Health confirmed on Sunday that a person in his 50s has died of meningococcal disease, while two teenagers from Sydney and a man in his sixties from the Central Coast are recovering from the disease.
It is believed that none of the cases are related.
Meningococcal symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, neck stiffness, fatigue, joint pain, vomiting, and skin rash with reddish-purple spots or bruises (pictured)
Meningococcal symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, neck stiffness, fatigue, joint pain, vomiting, and rash with reddish-purple spots or bruises.
Meningococci are rare but can kill within hours if left untreated, said NSW Health director Christine Selvey.
‘Early treatment is life-saving so it’s important that symptoms are recognized early,’ said Dr Selvey.
“If symptoms get worse quickly, call triple-zero or go straight to the nearest emergency department. Don’t wait too long.”
There have been 19 cases of meningococcal disease reported in NSW this year.
Children under five and 15 to 25-year-olds are at the highest risk of contracting the disease.
A free meningococcal vaccine is available in NSW for 12-month-old infants, adolescents, and people of all ages with certain medical conditions.
NSW Health director Christine Selvey (pictured) urged Australians to recognize meningococcal symptoms early as the rare disease can be fatal within hours if left untreated