Health authorities have confirmed a child has died from meningococcal disease in Townsville Hospital.
Dr Steven Donohue from the Townsville public health unit said the child died on Friday night.
He said he could not reveal the child’s age or name due to patient confidentiality.
“The death of a child is very tragic and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family,” he said.
Dr Donohue said they had conducted tests on the child’s family and anyone who came into immediate contact with the child.
“The public health unit has undertaken contact tracing of close household-type contacts in accordance with national public health guidelines.”
Dr Donohue said it was not easy to catch meningococcal disease.
“While the bacteria can be spread via droplets from the nose or throat during coughing and sneezing, close and prolonged contact with a person who has the bacteria in their nose or throat is usually needed for the bacteria to spread to others,” he said.
“Sharing saliva through, for example, sharing cups, drinks or cigarettes is not considered to be a way of spreading the disease.
“As meningococcal bacteria cannot live long outside of the body, the infection cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools, bed linen or pillows.”
He said some strains could be prevented in children as young as one by vaccination under the national immunisation program.