Soldier needs surgery after meningococcal infection

The soldier who survived a meningococcal infection will need plastic surgery to repair damage caused by the disease, says MidCentral Health.

The treatment is sometimes required because the condition cuts off blood supply to the extremities.

The unnamed soldier was airlifted from Palmerston North Hospital to Waikato Hospital last week to have the surgery. His condition is described as satisfactory.

The soldier, and Morehu Gedye, 18, caught the disease at Waiouru Military Camp shortly after they began training. Mr Gedye died on June 24.