July 01, 2024
Students warned of quick killer
The Meningitis Foundation says people are in danger because they don’t know they are at risk of the disease.
Two weeks ago a case of meningococcal disease was confirmed at the University of Auckland’s Carlaw Park student residence in Parnell, which houses 1604 students.
Foundation chair Gerard Rushton says while babies are protected through the National Immunisation Schedule, adolescents can only get free innoculations they are in first year halls of residence, prisons or barracks.
The foundation wants everyone to be protected by the time they are 16.
The disease spreads through respiratory droplets, which is why a possible outbreak among students is of such concern.
“We want to make sure students know to protect themselves. they need to make themselves aware of thymptoms because the symptoms are similar to a flu – there’s a stiff neck, sensistivity to light and just general flu-like symptoms – and this disease moves so fast we just urge students if they are feeling unwell go and seek medical advice. This disease can kill with 24 hours,” Dr Rushton says.
Meningococcal disease kills 10 to 20 percent of those who get it, and 40 percent of the rest will have some lifelong disability such as blindness, deafness or loss of a limb.