A 10 month old baby was released from Gosford Hospital after being confirmed as having meningococcal disease.
On September 27, the Central Coast Local Health District had reported the baby was in a stable condition in the hospital with a confi rmed case of meningococcal disease. The child was released from hospital on September 28. This was the fourth case of meningococcal disease from the Central Coast area in 2016. In 2015 there were two confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in the Central Coast Local Health District area.
There were four confirmed cases in 2014. Household contacts of the baby were prescribed clearance antibiotics. There are no links between this case and any previous cases. Central Coast Local Health District Public Health Director, Dr Peter Lewis, said late winter/early spring was the season when meningococcal disease tended to be most prevalent, although cases presented all year round. “Most cases occur among infants, young children, teenagers and young adults, although people of any age can be infected,” Dr Lewis said. “Meningococcal disease can be very severe, and people infected with it can become extremely unwell within hours of the fi rst symptoms appearing”.
Media release, Sep 27, 2016 Interview, Sep 28, 2016 Sharna Ryan, Central Coast Local Health District Jackie Pearson, journalist