There have been two meningococcal deaths confirmed in the Hunter New England health area in two days.
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An elderly woman died in John Hunter Hospital from meningococcal disease on Wednesday.
This was the fifth case of meningococcal disease from the region this year.
Close contacts of the woman were prescribed clearance antibiotics.
On Thursday it was confirmed a young woman had died in a Mid-North Coast hospital from the disease.
There were no links between the two cases, or any previous cases.
“Meningococcal disease may be very severe and the community needs to be on the alert for its symptoms,” public health physician David Durrheim said.
“If anyone suspects meningococcal disease, they should seek medical attention immediately.”
Up to 10 per cent of patients with invasive meningococcal disease in Australia die as a result of the infection.
The first symptoms of meningococcal disease may include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour.
Later symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, nausea and vomiting, a rash of reddish-purple spots or bruises and drowsiness.
Babies with the infection can be irritable, not feed properly and have an abnormal cry.
“Meningococcal infection does not spread easily,” he said.
“It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying it and close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on.
“It does not appear to be spread through saliva or by sharing drinks, food or cigarettes.”
He stressed that while meningococcal disease could be serious, in most cases, early detection and treatment resulted in a complete recovery.
Most cases of meningococcal disease are seen in infants, young children, teenagers and young adults, although people of any age can be infected.
“The number of cases of this rare disease has been falling over the past 10 years due in part to the success of the meningococcal C vaccination program,” Dr Durrheim said.
In 2014 there were 11 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in the Hunter New England Local Health District.
There were 11 confirmed cases in 2013, 9 in 2012, 15 in 2011 and 13 in 2010.
