Canberrans are being urged to seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms after a defence force academy cadet was taken to hospital with meningococcal disease.
The 20-year-old woman presented at the Duntroon health centre with flu symptoms on Saturday night, and was quickly transferred to Canberra Hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition.
Health authorities on Monday tried to calm any fears about an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis, saying the disease was not infectious and extremely rare.
Acting ACT Chief Medical Officer Andrew Pengilley said authorities did not expect the cadet’s illness would lead to other cases of the disease.
However, he said those who develop similar flu-like symptoms should visit their doctor, with three or four cases of the disease recorded each year in the territory.
“I should stress that it is extremely unlikely to be meningococcal meningitis but nonetheless if you’re feeling unwell and concerned then you should seek medical attention,” he told reporters in Canberra.
The Australian Defence Force says it has taken all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, with preventive antibiotics given to seven cadets who live in the same barracks as the woman.
“We certainly have not had any other cadets present with any similar symptoms to date,” said Rear Admiral Robyn Walker, commander of Joint Health Command.
“The risk is actually very, very low.”
© 2016 AAP