NSW: Girl dead and man in hospital with meningococcal diease

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2006
NSW: Girl dead and man in hospital with meningococcal diease

The New South Wales government is under fire over an alleged attempt to delay information
about an outbreak of of meningococcal disease .. that has claimed the life of a teenage
girl.

A man .. in his 20s .. is in hospital .. and is expected to make a full recovery.

Opposition leader PETER DEBNAM claims the government has engaged in a deadly media
management by delaying the health alert for a day.

He says premier MORRIS IEMMA .. as a former health minister .. knows about the dangers
of meningococcal disease.

The government says from January 1 to date .. there have been 63 cases of meningococcal
disease .. down from 81 cases for the corresponding period last year.

Over that period .. there have been four deaths .. down from six deaths over the corresponding
period last year.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease can include sudden onset of fever .. severe headaches
.. nausea and vomiting .. and a rash of red-purple spots.

AAP RTV acb/pe/wz

KEYWORD: MENINGOCCAL (SYDNEY)

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