KEY POINTS:
Scientists will spend the next few days working to identify the strain of meningococcal disease which has put five Wellington children in hospital over the past week.
The five cases, which all involve children under eight from a wide geographical area in greater Wellington, were notified to Regional Public Health.
Medical Officer of Health Margot McLean said of the cases, two were siblings but the rest did not appear to be linked.
Two of the children were fully immunised with MeNZB vaccine, and the other children were partially immunised or not immunised.
Dr McLean said today the issue was concerning because until now there had only been four reported cases of meningococcal disease in the Wellington region this year.
"So to have five cases in a week is quite unusual. It is a very seasonal illness so it does tend to peak in July and August - but it is certainly a sudden peak," she told Radio New Zealand.
Authorities were now working to find out more about the cases in question.
"That work will be done over the next week by ESR to determine the exact strain and see if it is the epidemic strain."
Dr McLean said it was important to make people aware of the issue and ensure parents could identify early symptoms.
In its early stages meningococcal disease may look like a case of influenza. The recent cases involved a rapid onset of illness and, in most cases, a rash. The disease can progress very quickly and is difficult to diagnose.
Dr McLean said the five children affected were doing well.
"Three have been discharged from hospital and the other two are comfortable."
- NZPA
