After recording New Zealand’s highest rates of meningococcal disease in 2022, Otago, Southland and Bay of Plenty schools and tertiary institutions are being urged to be vigilant about the disease over the coming weeks.
There was a nationwide increase in the number of reported cases last year and the call comes as thousands of secondary and tertiary students settle into close living conditions in dormitories and flatting environments.
There were 72 cases of the disease reported in 2022 — more than 50% more than the previous year.
Vaccinologist and University of Auckland associate professor Helen Petousis-Harris said Maori and Pasifika were disproportionately affected, and secondary pupils and young adults were also at increased risk.
"Across the regions, Otago-Southland and Bay of Plenty had the highest number of cases, each recording the country’s highest rates of meningococcal disease and accounting for almost a quarter (23%) of cases up to late November 2022."
She said the disease was an "uncommon but life-threatening" bacterial infection which caused inflammation of the membranes that covered the brain and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Even with prompt medical care, about 10% of patients died, and up to 20% of survivors had permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, amputated limbs and hearing loss.
"Students who are in close contact with large numbers of people at music festivals, university orientations or those living in hostel accommodation are at increased risk of the disease.
"This is because young people are more likely to carry the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease and partake in activities that allow it to be transmitted more easily, such as sharing utensils, kissing and being in close proximity to one another."
Prof Petousis-Harris said due to its flu-like symptoms, meningococcal B could be difficult to diagnose and could progress quickly.
Along with headaches, fever and a sore neck, patients might also present with a rash.
"It’s easy for room-mates to mistake meningococcal disease as the after-effects of a night out.
"It is important they all learn to recognise the symptoms and act immediately."
The rise in cases among this cohort was a reminder to be aware that the deadly disease was always "lurking" in the community, she said.
"It is concerning to see there is a high prevalence of the strain B:P1.7-2,4 in New Zealand now, which saw a significant and prolonged meningococcal B epidemic between 1991 and 2007 that resulted in 6128 cases, claiming 252 lives."
She said in response to the epidemic, a short-term nationwide vaccination programme using a tailor-made vaccine (MeNZB) was introduced from 2004-08.
"Toddlers who were immunised during the last epidemic will now be entering the high-risk adolescent age group and will need to be vaccinated again if protection from the disease is to be maintained."
She said the meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero, was now funded for people aged 13-25 in close-living situations such as hostels, boarding schools, halls of residence and military barracks.
There would also be a one-year catch-up programme for young people already living in close living environments.
It will be funded as part of scheduled childhood immunisations with a catch-up programme for the next two and a-half years to provide vaccination for all children under the age of 5, who are at highest risk of meningococcal disease.
For those not eligible for funded vaccination, Bexsero is available for private purchase and can be requested from health-care providers.
