Young Aussie fights for life after contracting rare and deadly meningococcal disease

A young Australian is fighting for life in hospital after being diagnosed with invasive meningococcal disease.

The patient has contracted serogroup B meningococcal disease, a rare but serious infection, according to the Australian Centre for Disease Control.

The young adult was in a critical condition on life support at a metropolitan Adelaide hospital on Saturday morning.

SA Health has identified multiple people who came into contact with the patient, with seven contacts prescribed clearance antibiotics to help prevent further transmission. 

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening illness caused by a bacterial infection of the blood or the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

The infection can also affect other parts of the body, including the throat, lungs and large joints.

The latest case brings the number of meningococcal infections recorded in South Australia this year to 22, compared with 13 at the same time in 2025.

Of those, 20 have been identified as serogroup B, while one was serogroup Y and another was non-serogroupable.

SA Health confirmed no deaths from the disease have been recorded in South Australia this year.

The department warned that early symptoms can include a headache, fever, vomiting, a stiff neck and sensitivity to light.

‘The infection can quickly progress to confusion and shock, while some patients may develop a rash consisting of tiny red or purple spots that spread and begin to resemble bruises,’ SA Health said in a statement.

‘In young children, warning signs can include irritability, difficulty waking, refusing food, leg pain, cold hands and feet, and pale or blotchy skin.’

SA Health has urged anyone who develops symptoms or signs of meningococcal disease to seek urgent medical attention.

There are two types of vaccines available, one protecting against four strains of the disease (serogroups A, C, W and Y), and another targeting serogroup B.

In South Australia, the meningococcal B vaccine is available free to infants at six weeks, four months and 12 months, as well as adolescents in Year 10, under national and state-funded programs.

The ACWY vaccine is also available free to infants at 12 months of age and to Year 10 students. 

However, as vaccines do not protect against every type of meningococcal disease, vaccinated people are still urged to remain alert to the symptoms. 

More information about meningococcal disease is available on the SA Health website.