A 22-year old man from a rural area of the North-West of Tasmania is recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with meningococcal B.

Acting director of public health, Dr Scott McKeown, said close contacts of the man had received precautionary antibiotics after he was admitted to the North-West Regional last week.

“The man is recovering and is currently in a stable condition,” Dr McKeown said.

“Meningococcal disease is a rare bacterial infection which usually occurs as a single case. It is unusual for a second case to occur after contact with the first case.”

He said symptoms included fever, severe muscle aches and pains, headache, feeling unusually unwell, confused or drowsy, and late in the illness a rash may occur.

“Babies and infants often don’t have these symptoms but can be unsettled or drowsy, floppy and not feeding,” he said.

“A person with meningococcal disease can deteriorate rapidly.”

Dr McKeown said that if you suspect meningococcal disease, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

This case is the sixth case of meningococcal disease to have been confirmed in Tasmania this year. Four of these cases have been meningococcal B disease, with the other two being the W strain.

SOURCE: The Advocate News