Meningococcal

Health officials say it's the third case of the disease in Canterbury this year. National Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink says the chance of anyone ...

The meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero, will be funded for people aged 13-25 in close-living situations such as hostels, boarding schools, halls of residence ...

It is an absolutely devastating disease that has life-long impacts on those affected and their whanau.” “Students who are in close contact with large numbers of people at music festivals, university orientations or those living in hostel accommodation are at increased risk of the disease. Meningococcal disease is spread through respiratory droplets (coughing and sneezing) or saliva.”

The university says it's been advised by Te Whatu Ora the student is living in the Ilam Apartments student residence. Health officials say close contacts ...

National Public Health Service Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink confirmed that an 18-year-old student was admitted to Christchurch Hospital this week ...

A person with meningococcal disease may only have some of the symptoms. The bacteria are spread in secretions from the nose or throat by coughing, sneezing and kissing,” Dr Pink said. “Up to 15% of people carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in their nose and throat without being sick. “We have identified the close contacts of the person and they have all received antibiotics, to prevent them developing meningococcal disease. It can affect anyone – but it’s more common in children under the age of 5, teenagers, and young adults. Implementation of the Integrated Primary Mental Health and Addiction programme across metro Auckland is well under way.

An 18-year-old student is in Christchurch Hospital with meningoccocal disease — the third case in Canterbury this year.

"Up to 15% of people carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in their nose and throat without being sick. It can affect anyone — but it's more common in children under the age of 5, teenagers, and young adults. "It is free for those in in their first year of living in halls of residence or in boarding schools to get vaccinated against meningococcal disease and I would strongly encourage those who are eligible to get their vaccinations for the extra protection, whether that is at your student health medical centre or general practice."

An 18-year-old Canterbury University student has been hospitalised in Christchurch. Last year Ashburton couple Claire and Gerard Rushton appealed to the ...

The Meningitis Foundation blames low awareness of free vaccinations for the new case, saying the 18-year-old student could have been vaccinated if ...

It was “concerning” there was a high prevalence of the strain B:P1.7-2,4 in New Zealand now, she said. Meningitis is deadly. He urged all university students in their first year living in a hall of residence to get their free vaccinations for all strains of meningococcal disease. Free catch-up programmes have also been funded. A nationwide increase in cases of meningococcal cases has prompted a warning for students to be vigilant in the coming weeks. [Canterbury University student Miwa Chapman died of meningococcal disease](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/119816026/canterbury-university-student-miwa-chapman-died-of-meningococcal-disease?rm=a)

The Christchurch university student battling meningococcal disease wasn't vaccinated for all strains of the illness, and the teenager's mother is warning ...

A person with meningococcal disease may only have some of the symptoms. A red or purple rash is common, but it doesn’t always happen. But the daughter returned a negative RAT test. It is imperative that we protect our rangatahi,” he said. “I’ve been on the phone with the medical centre asking why I wasn’t given a choice. You can also call Healthline 0800 611 116 24/7. “It’s what made me move. Medical staff suggested it could be Covid-19 or a heat rash. Now in Christchurch to be with her daughter, the mother said she was thankful her daughter was on the mend, but wondered what could have been done to prevent the disease. When the Herald approached the University of Canterbury about this claim, the education provider reassured the risk of anyone who was in contact with the student “is low”. The mere fact the student, who is taking antibiotics and is “on the mend”, has survived was because of her oximeter, which alerted the mother to the seriousness of her daughter’s illness. I would have paid the $130 to get it done.

Her mother said it was "touch and go" and the family are relieved she is now through the worst of it and recovering at home.

It can affect anyone — but it's more common in children under the age of 5, teenagers, and young adults. "It is free for those in in their first year of living in halls of residence or in boarding schools to get vaccinated against meningococcal disease and I would strongly encourage those who are eligible to get their vaccinations for the extra protection, whether that is at your student health medical centre or general practice." Her mother said it was "touch and go" and the family are relieved she is now through the worst of it and recovering at home.

Meningitis Foundation says meningococcal B and ACWY vaccines must be made available to ALL young people. The Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand says ...

“It is clear that first year students in halls of residence aren’t aware they are eligible to be vaccinated for free – we are missing a step here. He says the increasing number of cases highlights that the eligibility criteria are not fit for purpose and must be extended to all 16-year-olds before they leave school. He says that the Government must move quickly on two fronts, firstly to drive uptake, and secondly to widen access.

An 18-year-old university student has been hospitalised with meningococcal disease - the third confirmed case in Christchurch this year. What is it and who ...

[12 groups](https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/m/meningococcal-vaccines-overview/) have been identified: the most common in New Zealand are A, B, C, Y and W. [Bexsero](https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccine/bexsero) (for meningococcal B) [was extended](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/131360582/pharmac-will-fund-meningococcal-b-vaccine-for-babies-teens-and-young-people) to children up to 12-months of age, administered as part of the childhood immunisation programme. [accounting for up to 80% of cases](https://surv.esr.cri.nz/PDF_surveillance/MeningococcalDisease/2022/Meningococcal_disease_monthy_report_November2022.pdf), Best said. It can also cause pneumonia. [isolated outbreaks since](https://www.immune.org.nz/diseases/meningococcal-disease#:~:text=Then%20in%202018%2C%20Northland%20experienced%20a%20disproportionately%20high%20number%20of%20meningococcal%20diseases%20cases), including a “disproportionately high number” of [meningococcal W cases across the Northland region](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/110762609/meningococcal-w-northland-dhb-wraps-up-intensive-response-to-outbreak) in 2018. [become full or tense](https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/symptoms.html#:~:text=Newborns%20and%20babies,signs%20of%20meningitis.), Best said. [lumbar puncture](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lumbar-puncture/about/pac-20394631), and sent to a laboratory for testing. [Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.](https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/causes-transmission.html#:~:text=Bacteria%20called%20Neisseria%20meningitidis%20cause,are%20known%20as%20meningococcal%20disease.) [Pharmac will fund meningococcal B vaccine for babies, teens and young people](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/131360582/pharmac-will-fund-meningococcal-b-vaccine-for-babies-teens-and-young-people?rm=a) [Three flatmates close contacts of positive meningococcal case in Christchurch](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/131446226/three-flatmates-close-contacts-of-positive-meningococcal-case-in-christchurch?rm=a) [Christchurch university student hospitalised after catching meningococcal disease](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300825693/christchurch-university-student-hospitalised-after-catching-meningococcal-disease?rm=a) [data from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research states.](https://surv.esr.cri.nz/PDF_surveillance/MeningococcalDisease/2022/Meningococcal_disease_monthy_report_November2022.pdf)

Today's case was also admitted to Christchurch hospital. It was reported earlier today that the first case was a University of Canterbury student who lived in ...

A person with meningococcal disease may only have some of the symptoms. The student wasn’t immunised against all strains of the virus. The bacteria are spread in secretions from the nose or throat by coughing, sneezing and kissing.” But the daughter returned a negative RAT test. “I’ve been on the phone with the medical centre asking why I wasn’t given a choice. “Up to 15 per cent of people carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in their nose and throat without being sick. A red or purple rash is common, but it doesn’t always happen. It can affect anyone – but it’s more common in children under the age of 5, teenagers, and young adults,” Pink said. You can also call Healthline 0800 611 116 24/7. I would have paid the $130 to get it done. “It is free for those in their first year of living in halls of residence, or in boarding schools, to get vaccinated against meningococcal disease and I would strongly encourage those who are eligible to get their vaccinations for the extra protection, whether that is at your student health medical centre or general practice.” It was reported earlier today that the first case was a University of Canterbury student who lived in student accommodation in Ilam.

Another 18-year-old has been admitted to Christchurch Hospital after contracting meningococcal disease, the second case in less than 24 hours.

In late February, Te Whatu Ora announced access to the Meningococcal B vaccine had been expanded for children aged under five years old and for people aged 13 to 25 in specified close-living situations. Te Whatu Ora said meningococcal disease was a fast-moving illness, which had symptoms similar to other illnesses, including Covid-19 and influenza. Te Whatu Ora has confirmed the latest case, which is the fourth in the Canterbury region this year.

Another 18-year-old student has been admitted to Christchurch Hospital with the disease, the second case in the city in the past two days.

It was “concerning” there was a high prevalence of the strain B:P1.7-2,4 in New Zealand now, she said. Meningitis is deadly. A nationwide increase in cases of meningococcal cases has prompted a warning for students to be vigilant in the coming weeks. The student was the third case of meningococcal in Canterbury this year, Pink said. Free catch-up programmes have also been funded. [another 18-year-old University of Canterbury student was admitted to hospital](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300825693/christchurch-university-student-hospitalised-after-catching-meningococcal-disease).

National Public Health Service Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink confirmed this afternoon that a second case of meningococcal disease has been ...

A person with meningococcal disease may only have some of the symptoms. “Up to 15% of people carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in their nose and throat without being sick. “We have identified the close contacts of this person and they have all received antibiotics, to prevent them developing meningococcal disease.

After recording New Zealand's highest rates of meningococcal disease in 2022, Otago, Southland and Bay of Plenty schools and tertiary institutions are being ...

The rise in cases among this cohort was a reminder to be aware that the deadly disease was always "lurking" in the community, she said. "This is because young people are more likely to carry the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease and partake in activities that allow it to be transmitted more easily, such as sharing utensils, kissing and being in close proximity to one another." "Across the regions, Otago-Southland and Bay of Plenty had the highest number of cases, each recording the country’s highest rates of meningococcal disease and accounting for almost a quarter (23%) of cases up to late November 2022."

It comes after a second Canterbury University student was diagnosed with Meningococcal disease - the fourth case in the region this year. Alastair Holland ...

The mother of a teenager infected with meningococcal disease says the two 18-year-old Christchurch cases to emerge this week are not linked.

A person with meningococcal disease may only have some of the symptoms. However, a second vaccine - Bexsero - is required to protect against the rest. The daughter, case A, is “doing well” and expected to make a full recovery, the mother said. So everybody should be protected by the age of 16.” A red or purple rash is common, but it doesn’t always happen. You can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 24/7. The bacterial form of meningitis is referred to as meningococcal disease. However, the mother of the first student to come down with the illness has confirmed the second student is not a close contact, and doesn’t attend any of her daughter’s courses. The severity of the second student’s condition is unknown. Rushton agreed, saying the rollout “isn’t rocket science” and the demand indicated the importance of having stock prepared. The mother of a teenager infected with meningococcal disease says the two 18-year-old Christchurch cases to emerge this week are not linked. It comes as concerns grow about supplies of the meningitis vaccine and suggestions available stock is running low.

Four Northland children under the age of 5 contracted meningococcal B in July last year.

If you don’t have a family doctor, you can go to one of the after-hour medical clinics. Northland also experienced an outbreak of meningococcal group C disease in 2012. Meningococcal disease can affect anyone, but higher rates are seen in young children and particularly in babies aged under 1. People who survive meningococcal disease often have serious long-term effects, including amputation of limbs, hearing loss, seizures, brain injury, and permanent skin scarring.” The vaccine continues to be available and funded for all people who are close contacts of meningococcal B cases or who are at higher risk of meningococcal B disease because of reduced immune function. Group W was the predominant cause of meningococcal disease in Northland in 2018. In 2018, Northland experienced a disproportionately high number of meningococcal disease cases (7.4 cases per 100,000 people) compared with New Zealand overall (2.5 cases per 100,000). The meningococcal death of a 6-year-old Northland boy in 2021 was attributed to the family’s living conditions, a one-bedroom whare, “Tragically, Northlanders have been hospitalised and died as a result of meningococcal disease in the past,” Harrower said. It can become deadly in just a few hours. “This change provides thousands of young people and infants protection against meningococcal B disease and, importantly allows for its inclusion in the childhood immunisation schedule.” The vaccine for a disease that put four Northland children in hospital last year is now available for free in a bid to try to prevent further outbreaks.