QLD:Third meningococcal case in Townsville

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2011
QLD:Third meningococcal case in Townsville

CAIRNS, Aug 2 AAP - A third case of the deadly meningococcal virus has been confirmed
in Townsville following the death of a university student last week.

Queensland Health on Tuesday said a young child had fallen ill with the virus on July
21 but had since recovered.

However, a spokesman said the case was not linked to that of James Cook University
student Gurpreet Singh, 18, who was found dead in his room from the virus last Wednesday.

A second male JCU student is currently in a stable condition in Townsville hospital
after being admitted with the virus on Friday.

"Investigations indicate that there is no connection between the child's illness and
the recent meningococcal cases at James Cook University in Townsville," Queensland Health
Public Health Physician Dr Stephen Donohue said.

Dr Donohue said the child had recovered well and antibiotics had also been provided
to people who had close contact with the child.

Queensland Health has also written to the parents of children who had attended the
same childcare centre as the infected child.

Dr Donohue urged the community to be "alert but not alarmed" about the meningococcal
because the virus was uncommon and not easily spread.

He said 38 cases of the virus had been detected in Queensland this year but Mr Singh
is the only person known to have died as a result.

AAP ews/tnf/dep

KEYWORD: MENINGOCOCCAL

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.