Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can become life-threatening within hours. Australia sees about 100 cases a year. Most are now type B. Vaccines protect against all the common types.
Call 000 or go to the emergency department if someone with a fever becomes very unwell quickly, especially with a rash, a stiff neck, drowsiness or cold hands and feet. Don’t wait for the rash. It can appear late, or not at all.
Symptoms
- Sudden fever, often with headache, vomiting and muscle or joint aches
- Cold hands and feet, pale or blotchy skin, leg pain
- Stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness or confusion
- Babies: irritability, floppiness, refusing feeds, a high-pitched cry
- A rash of red-purple pinprick spots or bruises that don’t fade when you press a glass on them. It can start as a few spots and spread fast
Who’s most at risk
- Children under 5
- Teenagers and young adults aged 15–24. Carrying the bacteria in the throat peaks at about 19
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
- People without a working spleen, with some immune conditions, or on eculizumab
- Smokers and people living in crowded housing
How it spreads
- Through close, prolonged contact: living together, kissing.
- About 1 in 10 people carry the bacteria in the back of the nose and throat without getting sick.
- It doesn’t survive well outside the body. You can’t catch it from swimming pools or buildings.
- Close contacts of a case are offered antibiotics by public health.
Vaccines
- MenACWY (types A, C, W, Y): free at 12 months and in the school program at 14–16, with catch-up to age 19.
- MenB (type B, now over 80% of cases): free nationally for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and for people with certain medical conditions.
- Some states and territories fund MenB more widely, including South Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Tasmania. Programs change, so check with your GP or state health department.
- Elsewhere MenB can be bought on prescription. Ask your GP about cost and timing, especially for babies and teenagers.
The numbers
- About 1 in 10 people with meningococcal disease die, even with treatment.
- About 1 in 5 survivors have lasting problems: scarring, limb loss, deafness or brain injury.
- Type C has almost disappeared in Australia since free vaccination began in 2003.
Common questions
What are the first signs of meningococcal disease?
Often a sudden fever, headache, vomiting, leg pain and cold hands and feet. The rash can come later or not at all, so get urgent help if someone is getting sicker quickly.
What is the glass test?
Press a clear glass against a rash. If the spots don’t fade, it may be meningococcal disease: get urgent medical help. But don’t wait for a rash.
Is the MenB vaccine free?
Nationally, it’s free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and people with some medical conditions. Some states and territories fund it more widely. Otherwise it’s available on prescription.
How common is meningococcal disease in Australia?
Rare: about 100 cases a year, most of them type B. But it can kill within hours, so it’s treated as an emergency.
Helpful resources
- Meningitis Centre AustraliaSupport for people and families affected by meningitis. Free, Australia.
- healthdirect: Meningococcal disease24/7 nurse advice on 1800 022 222. Free, Australia.
Evidence and more information
- Immunisation Coalition: Meningococcal disease guide
- InSight+ (MJA): Invasive meningococcal disease, a patchwork of protection
maladywise.com/meningococcal/