Big spike in cases of killer disease

Mass-vaccination is being mulled as a previously-rare type of killer meningococcal disease rears its head and the bad-old B strain spikes.

The rise in meningococcal cases has the Ministry of Health seriously considering widespread vaccinations that could involve two new jabs.

It is the previously-rare W strain (MenW) that has health officials most-worried. Already this year, 24 cases have been confirmed and, with six of those leading to death, it has a 25 percent fatality rate.

Public health director Caroline McElnay said the stereotypical meningococcal symptoms such as fever, inflammation of the brain lining, headaches, and joint and muscle pain, were not necessarily there for MenW, which tended to have more gastro-intestinal symptoms.

That, and the rise in all meningococcal cases, was why the ministry was warning emergency departments and GPs to be on high alert and to administer antibiotics of meningococcal disease was suspected.

It was also why the ministry was ‘‘seriously talking’’ about bringing meningococcal vaccinations back into the regular roster of vaccinations. But, if

that happened, two vaccinations were likely needed – one for the more common B strain and another that covered A, C, W and Y strains of the disease.

While meningococcal vaccinations were currently available they were only for those who paid, or were funded for some high-risk groups.

That meant that not enough New Zealanders were vaccinated against the killer diseases, she said.

The last time meningococcal vaccinations were on the regular vaccine roster was in the early 2000s when there was a spike in the B strain.

According to ministry figures, meningococcal disease numbers peaked at 112 in 2017 and had already reached 96 cases so far in 2018.

There were 12 cases of the W strain – including three deaths – during all of 2017 and already in 2018 there had been 24 cases including six deaths.

‘‘Typically, there are zero to six cases per year of MenW,’’ she said.

‘‘This MenW strain is associated with high mortality rates and affects all age groups.

‘‘Northland has been the worst affected, with seven cases so far this year, including three deaths.’’

The Northland spike had only arisen in the past couple of months, she said.