By ALENA HIGGINS
A WARWICK teenager has died following a suspected case of meningococcal disease in the city at the weekend.
The 18-year-old female, who is believed to be a former Warwick State High School student, was receiving treatment at Warwick Hospital after developing symptoms, but sadly passed away on Monday morning.
Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) moved swiftly to assure local residents the tragedy was not cause for widespread alarm.
Director of Darling Downs Public Health Unit Dr Penny Hutchinson said the disease was difficult to contract unless there had been close and prolonged contact with the patient and people in Warwick were at “very, very low risk”.
“All of the people who have been in close contact with the most recent suspected case have been followed up with the appropriate treatment,” Dr Hutchinson said.
“Obviously this is a very distressing time for the family and our heartfelt sympathy goes to them.”
She said incidences of the deadly disease had reduced markedly since the introduction of the C strain vaccine on the national immunisation schedule in 2003.
The meningococcal C vaccine is recommended for all babies at 12 months of age and is free at that time.
Dr Hutchinson said it was “highly likely” anyone over the age of 19 in 2003 had not been vaccinated “unless they received and paid for it themselves”.
People without a spleen, those with a genetic predisposition, and smokers were more susceptible to the invasive disease.
The death has been referred to the coroner.
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