Baby girl is rushed to hospital with an invasive infection and eight other people given urgent medical attention after possible exposure
- Baby in South Australia has confirmed case of ‘invasive meningococcal disease’
- Infant remains in a stable condition, with strain still to be identified by experts
- Eight people in contact with the baby advised to receive clearance antibiotics
A four-month-old baby girl has been rushed to hospital with an ‘invasive’ case of meningococcal disease.
The infant, from Adelaide, is being treated for the extremely dangerous condition that is frequently fatal, depending on the strain.
Eight people in close contact with the child were directed to receive urgent clearance antibiotics amid fears of possible exposure.
The exact meningococcal strain has yet to be identified by medical experts.
Meningococcal disease can be fatal for infants, young children and adults (stock image)
‘Multiple people who had close contact with the patient have been identified, and eight people have been directed to receive clearance antibiotics,’ South Australia Health said.
The strain is the third in SA so far this year. Of the three cases, one is serogroup B, with the other one serogroup W.
An Adelaide man, 29, died after being diagnosed with the W strain of the disease earlier this year, and a woman, 21, is still fighting for her life.
The four-month-old baby with a confirmed case in South Australia was rushed to hospital and is said to be in a stable condition (stock image)
Five cases were reported last year – three in serogroup B, and two were serogroup Y.
The symptoms of meningococcal disease vary depending on age.
In young children, symptoms can include fever, red or purple spots, abnormal skin colour, leg pain and cold hands or feet.
In adults, common symptoms are headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness and joint pains.
Advertisement
