Meningococcal disease – a prevention update

Meningococcal disease is one of those hard-to-pronounce medical terms that has become all too familiar in recent years.

Although meningococcal disease is comparatively rare, the consequences can be frightening. In many cases it is fatal; often it results in permanent disability. The disease can kill a healthy person of any age within hours; so this makes early diagnosis and treatment essential.

Currently the Commonwealth Government is conducting a meningococcal disease awareness campaign, part of which is the promotion of the meningococcal C vaccine.

Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria known technically as Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria usually live harmlessly in the nose and throat. About 10% of the population carry this organism at any one time, and generally remain quite well.

However, they can spread it to other people as fine droplets through coughing, sneezing and spluttering.
If the bacteria travel from the breathing passages to the bloodstream the result can be septicaemia (blood poisoning) or meningitis (inflammation of the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord).

In Australia most cases of the infection are seen during winter and spring; an outbreak of meningococcal disease may follow an outbreak of influenza. Last year there were nearly 700 cases of the disease reported and about 60 deaths.
Age groups most affected are 0-4 and 15-25 years, and these are the age groups being first targeted by the Commonwealth Government’s Vaccination Program. Free vaccines will now be provided to all Australian children turning one to five years of age in 2003. The first year of the national program will also include free vaccines for adolescents turning 15-19 years of age. School-based vaccination programs will start later this year or early next year for other age groups.

Of course, immediate non-subsidised vaccination is currently available for any age group – child or adult – through your local GP.

It is important to realise that the vaccine only affords protection against one strain of the disease, that is meningococcal C. This accounts for about 35% of cases. The majority of cases are caused by the so-called serogroup B (for which there is no vaccine currently available). So we need to recognise risk factors and symptoms and, when appropriate, seek urgent medical attention.

Exposure to cigarette smoke (both active and passive smoking) increases the risk of meningococcal disease (as well as disease from other bacteria), so young children especially should be surrounded by a smoke-free zone. And attention to good hygiene habits at home, at work, at school and particularly pre-school, all help prevent the spread of the disease.
In the early stages it is difficult to distinguish meningococcal disease from influenza or some other viral illnesses. Nevertheless, the common symptoms to look out for are high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and/or skin rashes.

Not all the symptoms need occur together; so if you have any concerns get along to your doctor immediately.
The single most specific and notable sign of meningococcal septicaemia is a fine red rash, however, this does not always occur in meningococcal meningitis and sometimes only occurs when the disease is advanced. So don’t wait till you see a rash before you see the doctor.

Meningococcal disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics if treatment begins soon enough. So act quickly. For more information about meningococcal disease and the vaccination program, check with your GP or ask your pharmacist.