KEY POINTS:
An Air New Zealand flight to Perth was diverted to Adelaide last night so a woman believed to have meningococcal disease could receive medical treatment.
The woman became unwell during the flight from Auckland.
She was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the flight continued to Perth.
Western Australia Health Department director of disease control Paul Van Buynder said there have been no known cases of transmission of meningococcal disease on flights of similar duration and it was unlikely other passengers would contract the disease.
However, other passengers should monitor their health over the next two weeks and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms including a fever, rash, or headache, Dr Van Buynder said.
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, life-threatening bacterial illness that could cause infection of the blood and/or lining of the brain, Dr Van Buynder said.
Air New Zealand said the situation was now the responsibility of the health authority in Western Australia who would determine the appropriate follow-up action to contact and treat the other passengers.
The sick woman was looked after on board by the flight crew and a fellow passenger who was a doctor.
She was in a serious condition, AAP reported.
- NZPA
