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Elderly woman dies of meningococcal in NSW

Elderly woman dies of meningococcal in NSW

An elderly woman has tragically died of meningococcal disease in NSW.

The woman was being treated for the illness at a hospital in the Hunter region.

Health officials said she was the fifth confirmed case of the disease in the area this year.

In 2014 there were 11 cases in the Hunter and New England health districts.

Contacts of the woman have been prescribed with clearance antibiotics.

Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim said there were links between this case and any other previous cases.

"Meningococcal disease may be very severe and the community needs to be on the alert for its symptoms,” Dr Durrheim said.

“If anyone suspects meningococcal disease, they should seek medical attention immediately”.

Up to 10 per cent of patients with invasive meningococcal disease in Australia die as a result of the infection.

The first symptoms of meningococcal disease may include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour.

Later symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, nausea and vomiting, a rash of reddish-purple spots or bruises and drowsiness.

Babies with the infection can be irritable, not feed properly and have an abnormal cry.

"Meningococcal infection does not spread easily,” Dr Durrheim said.

“It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying it and close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on. It does not appear to be spread through saliva or by sharing drinks, food or cigarettes," he said.

He stressed that while meningococcal disease could be serious, in most cases, early detection and treatment resulted in a complete recovery.