People are being warned to watch out for symptoms of meningococcal disease after seven cases were reported in the past three weeks.
The number of cases was unusually high, Wellington regional public health's medical officer Annette Nesdale said today.
"Over the past four years we have averaged 12 to 14 notifications annually."
Dr Nesdale said it was common to see cases of meningococcal disease after a lot of influenza and respiratory illness in the community.
In 2007 there was a similar increase in illness when seven cases were reported in the last two weeks of July.
"Three of the cases are from the Hutt Valley, two from Wellington city and one each from Kapiti and Wairarapa.
"Two are teenagers, two adults over 20 and three under five years old," Dr Nesdale said.
Meningococcal disease is not highly contagious but could be difficult to diagnose as early symptoms are very similar to those of influenza.
People with the disease could deteriorate and become ill rapidly, Dr Nesdale said.
"Meningococcal disease needs urgent admission to hospital and treatment with antibiotics."
