An infant diagnosed with meningococcal disease was transferred to the Royal Hobart Hospital from the North West Regional Hospital at the weekend.
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The baby remains in a serious, but stable, condition.
Public Health Services said it is responding to this case by organising for people who have been in close contact with this baby to be given a short course of antibiotics by their general practitioner. This eliminates any meningococcal bacteria carried in their throats.
The PHS is also providing information to family, friends and other people who may have been in contact with this baby.
Anyone who has not been contacted by the PHS does not need to receive the antibiotics.
Meningococcal disease is a rare bacterial infection which usually occurs as a single case. It is unusual for a second case to occur after contact with the first case.
Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, headache, neck pain or stiffness, severe muscle pains, drowsiness or a rash. Infants and babies may not have many of have these symptoms but can be unsettled or drowsy, floppy and not interested in feeding. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect that they or their child may have meningococcal symptoms.
Tasmania has had six notified cases of meningococcal disease this year. Cases ranged in age from less than one year to over 70 years, with four cases in the South of the state, one in the North and one in the North-West. None of the cases have been connected to each other. Three further cases have been diagnosed in visitors to Tasmania who most likely became infected in their home state before travelling to Tasmania.