Link between killer bug cases probed

Health officials are investigating whether the 5-year-old latest victim of meningococcal disease in Northland has the same strain as other victims. File photo / Thinkstock

Health officials are waiting to see if a child diagnosed with meningococcal disease has the same strain that has killed three people in the region since July.

Northland medical officer of health Clair Mills said the 5-year-old boy was admitted to Whangarei Hospital with meningococcal disease on the evening of October 7 and was in a stable condition.

Dr Mills said it was the 10th case in Northland since July.

"We are waiting to hear from the national laboratory whether [the latest case] is a Group C - as in the majority of cases this year in Northland - or another type of meningococcal disease,'' she said.

"It was fortunate the parents knew about meningococcal disease and they sought medical attention immediately. The disease can be rapidly life-threatening. The child was admitted to a ward and is doing well.''

Northland DHB's public health unit had identified close contacts of the child but it appeared there was no obvious link between this and previous meningococcal cases, Dr Mills said.

"We have contacted family and people who have had close contact with the child during the last week when the child was infectious _ sharing food and drink, playing and sleeping in the same house with the child. They have been offered advice and preventative treatment.''

Northland has an outbreak of group C meningococcal disease.

Since July there have been seven cases of meningococcal disease caused by group C bacteria in Northland, including three deaths: an 82-year-old woman who died on September 22; 1-year-old Jacob Whyte from Ruakaka; and 18-year-old Ben Brown from Whangarei.

Northland District Health Board is spearheading a mass vaccination campaign aimed at immunising up to 38,000 people aged 1-20 in the region against meningococcal C.