• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

Meningitis New Zealand

kiwibird

Editor, Senior Moderator
Doctors warned to watch for meningitis after teen's death
NZPA July 2, 2009, 7:00 am

Health officials are urging people to be on the lookout for symptoms of meningitis after a Central Otago teen apparently died from the disease this week.

Ryan O'Connell-Cairns, a 14-year-old from Bannockburn, died in Dunedin Hospital on Monday night.

Otago-Southland medical officer of health John Holmes said he could not comment on the specifics of the case, and that the boy's death would be referred to the coroner.

However, the "probable" cause of death was meningococcal disease.

Doctors in Central Otago had been advised to look out for patients with symptoms of the disease, he told the Otago Daily Times.

He encouraged people to be aware of the symptoms and go to the doctor if they were concerned.

"Like the early signs of influenza, meningococcal disease can start with aches and pains, nausea and vomiting, a fever and headache, and generally feeling unwell," Dr Holmes said.

"With influenza, those symptoms can usually be alleviated by taking some paracetamol.
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/5696559

Very similar symptoms to the circulating A/H1N1. Not a good time for meningitis to emerge.
 
Re: Meningitis New Zealand

Med student dies after contracting meningitis
A medical student who overcame a learning disability and was on his way to achieving his childhood goal of becoming a doctor has died after contracting meningitis.

Zac Gravatt, 22, died in Auckland City Hospital on Wednesday night, after being suddenly struck down by the disease.

The British-born trainee doctor had turned 22 less than a week earlier.

He had overcome dyslexia to get into medical school and was just two years away from becoming a doctor.

On the day he died, he rang his father, Lance Gravatt, to say he was so sick couldn't sit up. "I said to take fluid and Panadol and see a doctor," a devastated Mr Gravatt told the New Zealand Herald.

His son followed the advice and consulted a GP, who sent him to hospital immediately.

Lance Gravatt said his son would be remembered as a "full-on" person with a love of parties, who had put in all the extra work to overcome his learning difficulties.

Zac Gravatt's funeral is due to be held in Auckland on Tuesday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2585356/Med-student-dies-after-contracting-meningitis
 
Re: Meningitis New Zealand

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/08/08/1245c17b1b8b

Health warning issued after outbreak of meningitis

Updated at 3:21pm on 8 August 2009

A cluster of meningitis cases in Wellington has prompted health authorities to warn parents of young children to be on the lookout for the serious disease.

A Wellington Medical Officer of Health, Annette Nesdale, says seven cases of meningococcal disease have been reported in the past three weeks when the region normally sees only one case a month.

Dr Nesdale says the initial symptoms are similar to influenza but children will quickly deteriorate, becoming hard to wake up and showing a rash that looks like small bruises under the skin.

She says the seven cases are unconnected and appear to be a result of the various flu strains and recent cold weather.

No other region is reporting any similar outbreak.
 
Back
Top Bottom