what you need to know about this potentially deadly disease affecting Australian children

Three children in far north Queensland recently became in poor health with meningococcal diseasea life-threatening infection brought on by a bacteria.

Meanwhile, an adult and a toddler with meningococcal infection were admitted to hospital. in Western Australia.

Up to now it was over 80 meningococcal disease reported in Australia in 2024. Although meningococcal disease can occur all yr round, in Australia it’s commonest in late winter and early spring.

What is meningococcal disease?

belongs to bacteria that usually live completely harmlessly at the back of the throat and may be transferred from one person to one other via saliva. Sometimes these bacteria can enter the body via the bloodstream and cause serious illness (called “invasive meningococcal disease”).

Although anyone can get meningococcal disease, certain groups of persons are more affected by it. at higher riskThese include infants, young children, adolescents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people living in crowded spaces and other people who smoke.

Meningococcal disease most frequently leads to a serious blood infection (septicemia), but it may also spread to the brain (meningitis).

Symptoms meningococcal disease may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and joint and muscle pain. If meningitis is present, headaches, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light are also common.

Sometimes meningococcal disease can even cause a characteristic rash that doesn’t disappear after pressure is exerted. It can start as red or purple pinpricks or small bruises. But not everyone with meningococcal skin will develop a rash. And when it does, it’s often a late sign, indicating a complicated stage of the infection.

Babies and toddlers may not have the classic symptoms listed above. Instead, they could have difficulty feeding, irritability, a high-pitched cry, pale or blotchy skin, or fatigue and limpness.

Although meningococcal disease is rare, it’s sudden and unpredictable. It is understood for the way quickly it may become a serious illness, often in healthy people. It has been described as a disease that may “good at breakfast – and dead at dinner”.

Meningococcal disease requires urgent treatment, especially antibiotics, to stop the infection from progressing. Even with excellent medical care, one in 20 small children People who turn out to be in poor health can die, and about one-third of children and teenagers who survive the disease will develop everlasting complications.

Although meningococcal disease may be contagious, less contagious than many other infections (corresponding to influenza or measles). The bacteria can spread through respiratory or throat secretions (saliva or saliva), and person-to-person transmission often requires prolonged, close contact.

We have effective vaccines

There are several types of bacteria, called serogroups. Serogroups refer to different surface structures of the bacteria and are designated by letters of the alphabet. Serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y cause most meningococcal diseases all around the world.

Two primary types meningococcal vaccines can be found in Australia. One type protects against serogroups A, C, W and Y (ACWY) and the opposite type protects against serogroup B.

The ACWY vaccine is out there freed from charge through the Australian National Immunisation Program. since 2018and is given at 12 months of age and at 14–16 years of age.

The vaccine against meningococcal group B is recommended for all children but is just available freed from charge as a part of the National Immunization Program for some people. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under two years of age and other people with some medical conditions.

Queensland recently introduced state-funded program provide free meningococcal B vaccine to all babies and children aged six weeks to two years, and adolescents aged 15 to 19 years.

In South Australia there may be also a state-funded vaccination program against meningococci group B for infants under the age of 1, in addition to a college program for tenth grade students.

In other parts of Australia, for children who don’t meet the necessities high risk criteriaThe meningococcal B vaccine have to be purchased on private prescription. Many parents aren’t aware of this vaccine, and price can be a barrier.

Most babies starting meningococcal group B vaccination before the age of 1 will need three doses, and each child over the age of 1 will need two doses for optimal protection.

Why do cases like this still occur?

Australia has achieved good vaccination coverage against serogroups A, C, W and Yand there are currently only a few cases of meningococcal disease brought on by these serogroups (although a case was recently reported in adults reported in WA had serogroup Y).

However, the number of individuals vaccinated against meningococcal B is way lower. This is partly because this vaccine just isn’t a part of the National Immunization Program (outside of certain high-risk groups). However, even in states with funded programs, there seems to be a lack of know-how.

Despite the introduction of a free meningococcal B vaccination program in Queensland this yr, vaccination coverage has been low. There are 40,000 young children under the age of two and 386,000 adolescents aged 15-19 in Queensland who not fully vaccinated yet.

Thus, compared to other serogroups, community-wide immunity to meningococcal B is lower. Meningococcal B is currently chargeable for over 80% all cases of meningococcal disease in Australia – including three children recently affected in Queensland and child in WA.

This Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is appealing to families to register their eligible children for meningococcal vaccination through the free state vaccination programs in Queensland and South Australia.

In other states, families can ask their GP about the meningococcal B vaccine, and a few hospitals offer a ‘no-consultation’ option Vaccination clinics to help families compensate for missed vaccinations, including the meningococcal B vaccine. Hospital pharmacies often provide this at the bottom cost.