Meningococcal disease cases in the South
12 Jun 2025
A public health response has been completed following confirmation of two recent cases of meningococcal disease. These are the first cases of invasive meningococcal disease to occur in Tasmania this year, and a timely reminder of what symptoms to look out for and the importance of vaccination.
A woman in her 50’s from the Kingborough area and a woman in her 60’s from the Greater Hobart area, have both been diagnosed with meningococcal B infection in the past week. Both women have been treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital. The cases are not believed to be linked.
Public Health Services has been working with family members of the cases to ensure they and other close contacts are properly managed to minimise the risk of further infections.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious infection caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal disease is more common during winter and spring, but can occur at any time, in any place, and affect people of any age.
Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, is urging the community to be alert for the symptoms of meningococcal disease, even if they have been vaccinated.
“Detecting and treating cases quickly can save lives, which means anyone with suspected meningococcal infection needs to seek emergency medical care immediately,” Dr Veitch said.
If you suspect you or someone you care for may have meningococcal disease, seek emergency medical care immediately – call Triple Zero (000) or go straight to your nearest emergency department.
“The symptoms of meningococcal disease can include fever, severe headache, neck pain or stiffness, drowsiness or confusion, severe muscle pain, and rash. People with meningococcal disease can go from feeling well to being extremely ill very quickly.”
“Babies and infants may not have these symptoms but can be unsettled or drowsy, pale or blotchy, floppy, and not feeding,’’ Dr Veitch said.
Tasmanians are encouraged to discuss meningococcal vaccination with their General Practitioner or community pharmacist and to check that they have received the vaccines they are eligible for.
A four-strain meningococcal vaccine for strains A, C, W and Y is routinely provided free on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for all children aged 12 months and for adolescents aged 14 to 19 years.
A different vaccine against the meningococcal B strain is routinely provided free on the NIP for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged less than 2 years old.
People of all ages with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of invasive meningococcal disease are also eligible for NIP-funded meningococcal vaccines.
Both vaccines are also available via private prescription for those who wish to protect themselves or their family from these strains of meningococcal disease.
Further information is available at https://www.health.tas.gov.au/publications/meningococcal-disease
