Baby ill with meningococcal stabilises

Clair Mills

A baby admitted to Whangarei Hospital with probable meningococcal disease has been moved from the intensive care unit and was in a stable condition late yesterday.

The male infant, from Whangarei, was admitted on Tuesday in a serious condition.

"Meningococcal disease can cause serious illness or death very quickly," said Northland DHB medical officer of health, Dr Clair Mills. "In this case, the child was seriously ill on admission."

His was the eighth case of meningococcal disease this year in Northland, with the DHB saying there did not appear to be any links between the cases. Over half were in infants under two years and the others were in young adults.

The eight in 2015 compared with three cases of meningococcal in 2014 and four in 2013.

A baby died of the disease on October 8, within 48 hours of becoming unwell - the only fatality from the disease so far this year.

Meningococcal is a bacterial infection that can cause two serious illnesses: Meningitis - an infection of the membranes that cover the brain; and septicaemia - blood poisoning.

Dr Mills said meningococcal often manifested like a viral flu or mild illness at the start.

"But it can be rapidly life threatening, especially in babies and young children," she said. "If your baby is unwell, please see a doctor and watch out for danger signs such as fever, vomiting, refusing to breast feed and fast breathing."

Older children and adults could experience headaches, fever and vomiting.

"The tell-tale purplish rash may not present until very late in the illness so don't wait if you are concerned," Dr Mills said.

Other symptoms could include sleepiness, joint and muscle pains, a stiff neck, aversion to bright light or a reddish-purple "pin prick" rash.

Dr Mills advised anyone with such symptoms to contact their doctor immediately or call Healthline free on 0800 611 116.

If patients had seen a doctor and gone home, but were still concerned, they could call their doctor again.