Fears of 11-month-old rushed to hospital with terrifying new strain of disease — here are the warning signs to watch out for
- An 11-month-old child being treated for meningococcal disease
- Infants from rural South Australia are still in stable condition
- SA Health has identified those who have been in contact with the child
An 11-month-old boy was admitted to hospital with severe meningococcal infection as close contacts of the child are identified by health authorities.
A child is being treated for an invasive case of the infectious disease at a hospital in rural South Australia after testing positive over the weekend.
The child remains in stable condition, with health authorities confirming that all those who had contact with the child have been contacted.
SA Health said the strain has been identified as serotype B.
A child is being treated for an invasive case of the infectious disease at a hospital in rural South Australia after testing positive over the weekend (Stock Image)
Health authorities have confirmed that those who had contact with the child (pictured is another child with meningococcal disease) have been contacted.
The health authorities directed four people to take antibiotics and urged the community to get vaccinated against the disease to avoid contracting the disease.
The vaccines are covered under state and government funded projects and are available for infants at six weeks, four months and 12 months and for students in Year 10.
There have been three cases of invasive meningococcal disease across South Australia so far this year, up from two during the same time in 2021.
All three cases were identified as having serotype B.
There were 14 cases of the infectious disease across the state last year.
SA Health has warned those who have already been vaccinated to stay alert, as the vaccine does not protect against all strains.
