A 66-year-old Claremont man is the latest Tasmanian to be diagnosed with meningococcal disease.
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The man, who contracted the Y strain of the disease, is being treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Public Health director Mark Veitch said the strain of the disease had yet to be confirmed.
“A public health response is underway following the confirmation of a case of meningococcal disease in the Greater Hobart area,” Dr Veitch said in a statement.
“The man’s close contacts are currently being managed by public health to minimise the chance of further infections.”
Hobart’s northern suburbs have been on high alert over the past month, with four cases of the disease having been confirmed at New Town, Moonah and Glenorchy.
“The recently announced immunisation program is focusing on this area, while also being rolled out state-wide,” Dr Veitch said.
All Tasmanians born after August 1, 1997 who are at least six weeks old are eligible for a free meningococcal vaccination, covering the A, C, W and Y strains.
Dr Veitch said people in this age range were particularly susceptible to meningococcal and posed a risk in terms of spreading the disease further.
“Meningococcal disease is rare but serious. On average, Tasmania has five or six cases of meningococcal disease a year,” he said.
Symptoms of meningococcal include severe headaches, confusion, fever, severe muscle pain and rash.
Babies may not present such symptoms, but, rather, can be unsettled, drowsy, pale, blotchy, floppy and not feeding.