WA GPs are being reminded that there are two types of meningococcal vaccine available — one for serogroups A, C, W and Y and the other for serogroup B — on the back of a recent case in a child.
This year’s total has already passed the nine cases recorded in 2023, with 11 meningococcal cases reported in WA to date; with eight cases serogroup B, one serogroup W, one serogroup Y and one serogroup unknown.
Although generally treatable with antibiotics (preferably intravenous cephalosporin), around 5 to 10% of people infected will die and around 15% may experience long-term complications such as hearing loss, limb amputations or brain damage.
Most deaths occur in the first 24 hours, before the start of specialist care, so missing a diagnosis can have serious consequences for the patient and healthcare practitioner.
Young children may not complain of symptoms, so it is important to have a high index of suspicion in children presenting with fever, lethargy, myalgia, vomiting and headache. These children should be monitored and reviewed carefully.
If a non-blanching rash develops, immediate treatment, liaison with a paediatric intensive care unit and urgent hospital transfer is required. Initial management involves assessment and regular review of airway, breathing and circulation. Sometimes – but not always – symptoms may be accompanied by the appearance of a spotty red-purple rash that looks like small bleeding points beneath the skin or bruises.
WA Health is reminding GPs that there are two types of vaccine available, noting that last year two cases of serogroup B and one case of W135 were identified as not having received vaccinations.
The MenACWY vaccine is offered for free to all children at 12 months of age, and also offered to Year 10 students, with a free catch-up program for adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old.
Due to a higher rate of meningococcal disease in Aboriginal children in WA, the MenACWY vaccine is offered free to Aboriginal children aged from six weeks to 12 months old, and the MenB vaccine is free for all Aboriginal children aged up to two years.
The vaccines are also free for people of all ages with certain medical risk conditions, while those not eligible for free vaccines can request them through their immunisation provider for a fee.
For more information on meningococcal disease visit Healthy WA.