Meningococcal disease has claimed the life of a woman in a Hunter hospital.
The Hunter New England Health District hasn’t confirmed the date or the location of the death, but says close contacts of the woman have been prescribed clearance antibiotics and that here are no links between this case and any previous incidents.
However Public Health Physician, Dr David Durrheim, says the disease does not transmit easily.
“It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying it and close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on. It does not appear to be spread through saliva or by sharing drinks, food or cigarettes,” he said.
He stressed that while meningococcal disease could be serious, in most cases, early detection and treatment resulted in a complete recovery.
The first symptoms of the disease include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour they may later progress to high fever, headache and neck stiffness.
