Close watch urged on sick loved ones

By REBECCA WALSH health reporter

Health authorities are urging New Zealanders to keep a close eye on young people with flu-like symptoms and to seek medical treatment immediately if they deteriorate, after a fourth death from meningococcal disease in Wellington.

Michael Papps, 13, died in an ambulance on his way to Wellington Hospital, after being diagnosed with the disease at an after-hours medical centre on Monday. He is the tenth person to die from the disease this year.

Two other teenagers admitted to the hospital on the same day with symptoms of meningococcal disease are now believed not to have it.

Wellington medical officer of health Dr Stephen Palmer is concerned about a change in the age of people contracting the disease. In previous years, two-thirds of them were under 10 years old. This year, two-thirds were over 10.

Dr Palmer said it was possible the four deaths in Wellington in the past three months could have been avoided if the people had seen a doctor earlier.

He urged parents and friends of those with flu-like symptoms not to leave them alone and to monitor them regularly.

Parents were cautious with babies and toddlers, but teenagers and young adults tended not to be as closely monitored when ill, and they often viewed themselves as being indestructible.

"What we are saying is keep an eye on them and if things change and get worse, rapidly seek help rather than leaving it a few more hours."