Killer disease leaves scientist critically ill

A British scientist is critically ill and likely to have her limbs amputated after contracting meningococcal disease while studying the deadly illness in Porirua.

The woman, who was working in a laboratory run by the crown research institute ESR, was in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital last night with blood poisoning.

It is understood she will have her legs and an arm amputated when she is strong enough to face surgery.

The woman is one of five unrelated meningococcal cases reported in the Wellington region in the past two weeks. A meningococcal B immunisation campaign is due to begin in the region next month.

ESR chief executive Dr John Hay confirmed the patient was a visiting overseas scientist working in a lab that handled meningococcal samples. The source of infection was unknown but ESR was investigating.

Overseas expert Andrew Lawrence reviewed the lab's practices and reported yesterday that there were no recorded accidents. He had no reason to assume the disease was acquired in the lab.

Dr Hay said the woman scientist was experienced and had worked with many strains of meningococcal disease before coming to work at the Kenepuru Science Centre, where she was given full training.

ESR has been researching a New Zealand strain of meningococcal bacteria for about 15 years and its work formed the basis for producing the new vaccine. Medical officer of health Annette Nesdale said that, before the five latest cases, there were just two in the first three months of the year.

The latest cases showed the meningococcal epidemic was far from over and demonstrated the importance of immunisation, she said.

All five patients had been admitted to hospital, three had already been discharged and only the scientist remained in intensive care.

Wellington Hospital infectious diseases specialist Tim Blackmore said the number of patients admitted with meningococcal disease in the past few weeks was unusual, but the disease was more common in winter.

"There were a lot of viral coughs and colds around a few weeks ago and we sometimes see meningococcal disease coming in off the back of coughs and colds. This really shows to us the need for the vaccine roll-out."

In all of the five recent cases, GPs had quickly referred patients to hospital with suspected meningitis.

"Doctors are so aware of the disease and do the right things. All of these patients were referred extremely quickly and given all the right treatment."

Dr Blackmore advised people worried about the risk of contracting meningitis to be vigilant about symptoms. These include: fever, crying or irritability, refusal to drink or eat, vomiting, drowsiness and a rash or spots.

Health boards in the Wellington region are preparing to immunise more than 100,000 youngsters from next month.

- NZPA