Mr DUNHAM - 1998-08-19
I note that four deaths have occurred recently of young children interstate infected with the disease meningococcus. Has there been any recent incidence of meningococcal disease in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, honourable members will remember a case in October last year when a 5-year-old boy from Palmerston died tragically after contracting meningococcal meningitis. I emphasise that some media reporting was a little hysterical and overdramatised. Therefore, I feel it is necessary for me to properly inform the parliament and the general public about this year’s Northern Territory cases of meningococcus Once again, I urge a rational and calm response from all.
There have been a total of nine confirmed, unrelated cases of meningococcus in 1998. All of those cases are based in central Australia. Six of the cases have presented in children between the ages of nought to five years, with the remaining three cases being found in adult males. These nine cases are due to one clone of group B meningococcus and have not been epidemiologically linked to one another, which means that there has not been a direct transmission from one person to the next. The other interesting aspect and difficult issue with this particular clone is that there is no vaccine for Group B meningococcus. All but 2 of the cases have been dealt with successfully and the people have been discharged from Alice Springs Hospital.
For those members and the general public who are unaware of meningococcus, it is an acute bacterial disease, characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense headaches, often vomiting, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, and often a widespread rash may develop that can look like tiny red or purple spots or bruises. As is tuberculosis, it is spread through droplets from an infected person’s saliva, through coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing drink bottles or eating utensils. It is important to remember that all meningococcal infection is treatable with antibiotics, and early presentation to the doctor is the best way to head it off.
As a result of these central Australian cases, Territory Health Services has activated its management protocol for this disease which includes a health alert to all medical practitioners and remote health centres throughout the region. If we could vaccinate against this particular strain we would do so, but we cannot. Additionally, the centre for disease control, in conjunction with Alice Springs Rural Health Service, has successfully traced close contacts of the patients diagnosed and has delivered prophylactic antibiotics to them.
I finish by commending personnel of Territory Health Services for their continued vigilance in dealing with this disease and monitoring the ongoing situation. Again, I emphasise to parents and the general public the importance of early presentation to a doctor if any symptoms arise.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, honourable members will remember a case in October last year when a 5-year-old boy from Palmerston died tragically after contracting meningococcal meningitis. I emphasise that some media reporting was a little hysterical and overdramatised. Therefore, I feel it is necessary for me to properly inform the parliament and the general public about this year’s Northern Territory cases of meningococcus Once again, I urge a rational and calm response from all.
There have been a total of nine confirmed, unrelated cases of meningococcus in 1998. All of those cases are based in central Australia. Six of the cases have presented in children between the ages of nought to five years, with the remaining three cases being found in adult males. These nine cases are due to one clone of group B meningococcus and have not been epidemiologically linked to one another, which means that there has not been a direct transmission from one person to the next. The other interesting aspect and difficult issue with this particular clone is that there is no vaccine for Group B meningococcus. All but 2 of the cases have been dealt with successfully and the people have been discharged from Alice Springs Hospital.
For those members and the general public who are unaware of meningococcus, it is an acute bacterial disease, characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense headaches, often vomiting, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, and often a widespread rash may develop that can look like tiny red or purple spots or bruises. As is tuberculosis, it is spread through droplets from an infected person’s saliva, through coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing drink bottles or eating utensils. It is important to remember that all meningococcal infection is treatable with antibiotics, and early presentation to the doctor is the best way to head it off.
As a result of these central Australian cases, Territory Health Services has activated its management protocol for this disease which includes a health alert to all medical practitioners and remote health centres throughout the region. If we could vaccinate against this particular strain we would do so, but we cannot. Additionally, the centre for disease control, in conjunction with Alice Springs Rural Health Service, has successfully traced close contacts of the patients diagnosed and has delivered prophylactic antibiotics to them.
I finish by commending personnel of Territory Health Services for their continued vigilance in dealing with this disease and monitoring the ongoing situation. Again, I emphasise to parents and the general public the importance of early presentation to a doctor if any symptoms arise.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016