Public health warning as three meningococcal cases confirmed in Cairns

Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor | May 27, 2022

Queensland Health has confirmed three people are being treated for meningococcal disease in Cairns, with two of them requiring hospital care.

The cases are associated with St Mary’s Catholic College, a co-educational high school in Cairns.

Cairns Tropical Public Health Services (TPHS) has been working closely with the school, providing contact tracing and antibiotics to close household contacts in line with national guidelines.

TPHS Director Dr Richard Gair said the disease is caused by bacteria and is spread by close contact.

“Meningococcal disease is a relatively rare illness, however the disease can cause serious illness marked by a rapid deterioration.

“At any given time, meningococcal bacteria are carried by about 10 per cent of the population, harmlessly at the back of the throat or in the nose.

“The bacteria can be spread via droplets from the nose or throat during coughing and sneezing or close contact such as kissing.”

Dr Gair said symptoms of meningococcal disease include rash, vomiting, fever, headache, confusion, stiff neck, and joint pain.

Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are vital. The disease can be fatal in about five to ten per cent of cases.

Meningococcal disease is not easily spread, and outbreaks are uncommon in far north Queensland. Close contact environments like day-care centres, school camps, parties, and nightclubs, make it easier for the bacteria to spread.

Vaccines have reduced the incidence of some of the strains of meningococcus that occur in Australia.