A child from metropolitan Adelaide is in a stable condition in hospital, after being diagnosed with invasive meningococcal disease identified as serotype B.
SA Health has identified multiple people who have come in contact with the case and five people have been directed to receive clearance antibiotics to prevent further transmission.
Meningococcal case breakdown:
| 2026 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Year-to-date count | 1 | 0 |
| Annual count | 11 | 15 |
| Deaths | 0 | 0 |
| Serogroup B | 1 | 13 |
| Serogroup W | 0 | 0 |
| Serogroup Y | 0 | 1 |
| Non-serogroupable | 0 | 1 |
It is important to seek urgent medical attention if any symptoms of meningococcal disease develop.
Symptoms and signs of meningococcal disease can include headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, and discomfort when looking at lights. A skin rash may occur, with tiny red or purple spots that soon spread and enlarge to look like fresh bruises. At later stages of the illness, people may develop confusion and shock.
In addition, young children may be fretful, difficult to wake and refuse to eat. They may have leg pain, cold hands and feet, and a high-pitched or moaning cry. Children may also have pale, blotchy or abnormally coloured skin.
It is important to seek urgent medical attention if any symptoms of meningococcal disease develop.
Symptoms and signs of meningococcal disease can include headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, and discomfort when looking at lights. A skin rash may occur, with tiny red or purple spots that soon spread and enlarge to look like fresh bruises. At later stages of the illness, people may develop confusion and shock.
In addition, young children may be fretful, difficult to wake and refuse to eat. They may have leg pain, cold hands and feet, and a high-pitched or moaning cry. Children may also have pale, blotchy or abnormally coloured skin.
Meningococcal health information has also been provided to the contacts in accordance with the InvasiveMeningococcal Disease Communicable Diseases Network Australia: NationalGuidelines for Public Health Units.
