NSW: Third person diagnosed with meningococcal disease

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2009
NSW: Third person diagnosed with meningococcal disease

A third student has become ill with meningococcal disease .. after attending a school
formal in southwest Sydney.

The students .. who attended the Aquinas College Year 12 school formal in Menai on
November 19 .. are in a stable condition and receiving antibiotics in hospital.

South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health Service spokesman MARK FERSON says they're now
contacting all students who attended the formal so they can be provided with clearance
antibiotics.

Professor FERSON says the risk of others developing meningococcal disease is low ..

but urged those who attended the formal to be aware of symptoms such as sudden onset of
fever .. nausea and vomiting .. neck stiffness .. tiredness .. and sore joints and muscles.

Headache and an aversion to bright lights are other symptoms.

Very early symptoms may include leg pain, cold hands and feet, and abnormal skin colour
.. while a pin-prick rash can quickly change into large red purple blotches.

AAP RTV bc/psm/

KEYWORD: MENINGITIS (SYDNEY)

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.