THREE closely-related Rockhampton children are in hospital with meningococcal disease. Queensland Health said one of the children had been admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, while the other two were in the Rockhampton Hospital. All were reported to be in a stable condition. So far this year, 20 cases of the bacterial infection have been recorded in Queensland compared with 33 for the whole of last year. Winter is the peak season for meningococcal, prompting Queensland Health to urge the public to be alert to symptoms of the severe, but uncommon infection. Symptoms include a high fever, severe headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, drowsiness and a rash that emerges and spreads rapidly. People who suspect they have symptoms of the infection, particularly a rapidly spreading bruise-like rash, should seek urgent medical attention. A vaccine against one strain of meningococcal is available but it does not protect against all forms of the disease.