Be On the Alert for Meningococcal Disease

Did you attend Canberra’s Spilt Milk festival on Saturday 26th November at Exhibition Park in Canberra?

A person who attended the Festival has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease, and ACT Health is warning attendees to look out for meningococcal symptoms.

The patient is being treated at the Canberra Hospital and their close contacts have been alerted.

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care advises meningococcal disease is a contagious disease caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcal bacteria).

The symptoms of the disease include:

• rash of red or purple pin prick spots, or larger bruise-like areas, that does not turn skin-coloured when you press on it with a finger or the side of a clear drinking glass
• fever
• headache
• neck stiffness
• light sensitivity
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• drowsiness and confusion
• difficulty walking or talking.

In babies and young children, you might notice they:

• refuse food
• are fretful and irritable
• are very tired and floppy
• have a fit or are twitchy
• have a high moaning cry.

The signs and symptoms do not appear in a definite order and some may not appear at all. When in doubt, go to outpatients at your nearest hospital.

Meningococcal disease is treated with intravenous antibiotics in hospital and often requires intensive care support.

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