Second child hospitalised with deadly meningococcal strain in WA
Another child in Western Australia is hospitalised with meningococcal serogroup B, the same strain that struck a child earlier in September.
The new case was reported Friday in WA. Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the blood and membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
Meningococcal disease spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain.
A red-purple rash may appear. With treatment, most people recover, though the disease causes death in 5 to 10 per cent of cases and long-term complications such as hearing loss or brain damage in around 15 per cent.
WA has recorded six meningococcal cases in 2026, with five being serogroup B. Vaccines are available to protect against serogroups A, B, C, W and Y.
- 5 to 10 per cent
- Fatality rate
- around 15 per cent
- Long-term complications
- 6 total, 5 serogroup B
- WA cases 2026
- 13 total, 12 serogroup B
- WA cases 2025
Why it mattersMultiple cases of a potentially fatal bacterial infection within weeks raises public health concern and the need for awareness.
AustraliaWA residents should recognise meningococcal symptoms and consider vaccination, particularly parents of young children.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 6 d ago
