08/03/2023
An 18-year-old student has been admitted to Christchurch Hospital after contracting meningococcal disease.
National Public Health Service medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said it was the third case of meningococcal in Canterbury this year.
Meningococcal disease is a fast-moving illness, which has similar symptoms to influenza. The bacterial infection can cause meningitis and septicaemia – blood poisoning.
The university student was living at a hall of residence in Christchurch. Their close contacts have been identified and given antibiotics to prevent them developing the disease, Pink said.