Girl dies as meningococcal disease strikes again

By MARTIN JOHNSTON, health reporter

Meningococcal disease killed a 15-year-old Auckland girl yesterday, and police are trying to contact one of her close friends in case she is infected too.

The girl's death is New Zealand's third this year from the illness, which can be confused with flu.

She died at Auckland Hospital of blood poisoning caused by meningococcal bacteria, after seeking medical help at a GP clinic on Tuesday afternoon.

She was so sick when she arrived at the hospital by ambulance at 2am yesterday that she was taken straight to a resuscitation room. She died at 5.40am.

"We admitted this patient in septic shock, which is the late stages of septic disease," said the Auckland District Health Board's chief medical officer, Dr David Sage.

"The diagnosis of meningococcal disease was made immediately on her arrival at hospital."

Her death was a devastating shock to her parents, Dr Sage said, and they had requested anonymity.

She died of the same illness as Nileema Sharan, 25, who was found dead in her bed by a flatmate a fortnight ago.

Ms Sharan waited more than three hours at Wellington Hospital's emergency department before being seen by a doctor at the nearby Accident and Urgent Medical Centre and sent home.

Her family said her symptoms included a temperature, vomiting, neck rash, a sore chest and head.

The medical centre doctor accepted Ms Sharan's explanation that she had pulled a neck muscle and did not examine her.

Auckland Public Health Service staff have been contacting the 15-year-old's family and friends, telling them about the fast-acting disease and giving antibiotics to some in case they have caught the infection.

But they have been unable to find Amy Gwilliam, a 14-year-old friend.

The police last night appealed for anyone who has seen Amy to contact them.

Inspector Dave Montgomery said she was travelling with her mother to the Mt Ruapehu skifields in a white Mitsubishi campervan, registered number UJ6313, which has "A Ward Hire Palmerston North" painted on the side.

The 15-year-old went with her mother to the Westcare White Cross accident and medical clinic in Henderson at 3.13pm on Tuesday.

Staff considered her a high priority, and she was seen by a GP 17 minutes later.


Dr Sage said the family reported the girl had been assessed thoroughly for meningococcal disease at the White Cross clinic.

No evidence of it was found and she went home.

From midnight, her condition deteriorated quickly.

White Cross director of medical operations Dr Alistair Sullivan said the GP who examined the girl was extremely upset. He had been stood down on full pay, which was usual after such cases as they put doctors under great strain.

"This is no reflection on his performance in ... this case."

The clinic's handling of the case would be reviewed internally. The Health Ministry's guidance had been sought on this, Dr Sullivan said.

"Unfortunately meningococcal disease can sometimes be devilishly hard to diagnose. It mimics so many common illnesses. It's important for doctors to have a really high index of suspicion."

Dr Sage said patients and their families must be persistent if they suspected meningococcal disease.

"If you see a doctor and they say you have got a viral illness, not meningococcal disease, go back if it gets worse."

Meningococcal signs

* Symptoms include fever, vomiting, headache, rash, stiff neck, young children refusing drinks or food, high-pitched crying from babies, sleepiness and joint pain.

* Not all symptoms may be present.

* Anyone with suspected meningococcal disease symptoms should go to a doctor immediately. The disease can be treated with antibiotics.

* The bacteria can cause meningitis and blood poisoning.