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Meningococcal advice for Bay of Plenty and Lakes district
MEDIA RELEASE
Meningococcal advice for Bay of Plenty
and Lakes district residents
There is an outbreak of Meningococcal disease
(type W) in Northland. In response, the Ministry of Health
has begun rolling out a targeted vaccination programme in
Northland for children aged 9 months to 4 years, and those
aged 13 to 19 years.
“We do not
have a meningococcal disease outbreak across the Bay of
Plenty or Lakes District Health Board areas,” says Dr Jim
Miller, Medical Officer of Health for Toi Te Ora Public
Health. “Currently the number of reported cases of
meningococcal disease across our region remains within the
expected range. However, we have had a change in the type
of meningococcal disease that is occuring; three cases of
meningococcal W have been reported this year,” says Dr
Miller. Of note, the most recent case of meningococcal
disease in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes areas was in
September.
“Currently, there is
no change to our meningococcal vaccination recommendations
– and a vaccination programme for children and youth in
the Bay of Plenty and Lakes, or elsewhere in New Zealand
other than Northland, has not been recommended,” says Dr
Miller. Toi Te Ora Public Health continues to monitor the
situation closely and follow up all cases of meningococcal
disease in our region.
The outbreak
in Northland is however a timely reminder for members of the
public to be aware of meningococcal disease and its signs
and symptoms. For more information visit:
•
Toi Te Ora Public Health - www.toiteora.govt.nz/meningococcal_disease
•
Ministry of Health - www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/meningococcal
If you or your whānau are concerned, please speak to your GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
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