Be alert to killer disease

Local one of five deaths

A BELLARINE Peninsula man is one of five people to have died from invasive meningococcal disease in Victoria this year.

The Health and Human Services Department confirmed a man in his 60s died from the disease in June.

A DHHS spokesman said the disease could “rapidly overwhelm its victims”, cautioning early detection and intervention was vital.

Symptoms may include fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck or sore muscles followed in some cases by a rash of red purple spots.

“It is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages as the telltale signs may not be evident,” the spokesman said.

“If infection is diagnosed early and treated with antibiotics most people make a complete recovery.”

Meningococcal bacteria live naturally in the back of the nose and throat in about 10 per cent of the population without causing illness.

“In a small number of people, a particular strain of the bacteria gets through the lining of the throat, enters the bloodstream and causes invasive meningococcal disease,” a spokesman said.

The deadly bacteria are difficult to spread and are only passed on by regular, close, prolonged household or intimate contact.

“The germs cannot live for more than a few seconds outside the human body,” the spokesman said.

“After exposure, the incubation period for the bacterium is between two and 10 days.”

The DHHS worked closely with University Hospital Geelong to notify close contacts of the deceased local man and provide them with clearance antibiotics.

Victoria has reported 54 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease this year, six of which have been in the Barwon South West Region.

The region’s total for 2017 to date is three higher than annual totals of three in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Last month the State Government launched a social media campaign to promote its free meningococcal vaccination program to protect teenagers against a strain of the disease most common in young adults.

The State Governmentfunded meningococcal ACWY vaccine is available free to students aged 15-19 through scheduled school vaccination days, council immunisation sessions or from a GP.

Barwon Health has the City of Greater Geelong-run program — which runs until December 31 — and is about two-thirds of the way through the 9000 teenagers estimated to receive the vaccine this year.

Teens outside the school system can still obtain the vaccine free from a GP or by contacting Barwon Health’s immunisation service.

For more on the vaccine program visit betterhealth. vic.gov.au/menvax or make an appointment on 4215 6953.