A six-month-old girl has died from meningococcal disease in Adelaide and four other people have been diagnosed this month.
The infant’s death has prompted a warning from SA Health about the need for vigilance for symptoms of the disease.
Chief public health officer Stephen Christley said there had been five cases of meningococcal disease in South Australia since the start of this month, most likely due to higher numbers of influenza and other respiratory conditions.
“Symptoms of meningococcal infection may include fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and sore muscles, followed in some cases by a rash of red and purple spots,” he said.
“The meningococcus bacteria are carried around in the nose and throat of around 10 per cent of the population, but are usually harmless.
“The bacteria are spread from person to person through close contact but only a very small number of people develop meningococcal disease.”
Babies, children need close monitoring: health chief
Dr Christley said infants needed to be watched closely.
“Babies or young children with meningococcal infection may also be fretful, refuse feeds or be difficult to wake,” he said.
Three children and two adults had been diagnosed in SA this month.
Dr Christley said SA Health always followed up with people who might have had contact with anyone with meningococcal infection.
“People who may be particularly at risk will be given antibiotic chemoprophylaxis as a preventative measure,” Dr Christley said.
Since the start of the year, there had been 16 cases of meningococcal infection in SA, one fewer than at the same time last year.