A two-year-old boy has died after contracting a case of “invasive” meningococcal disease, health authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The boy, from rural South Australia, came into contact with several people while he was potentially infectious, 15 of whom have received removal antibiotics.
The strain has been identified as serogroup B.
Although relatively rare, meningococcus can cause serious illness and is characterized by rapid deterioration.
So far this year, seven cases of invasive meningococcal disease have been reported in South Australia, all of the same strain.
It is the first death from the disease for the state in 2022.
Camera Icon A two-year-old boy has become the first SA meningococcal death after the disease claimed three lives the previous year. NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier Credit: News Corp Australia
In 2021, a total of 12 cases were reported to SA, of which six were from serogroup B and six from serogroup W.
There were three deaths from meningococcal disease in 2021.
According to health experts, meningococcal bacteria are transported by 10% of the population harmlessly to the back of the throat or nose.
It is then transmitted by drops during coughing and sneezing or close contact such as kissing.
If the infection is detected early enough and the right antibiotics are given, most cases recover completely.