Close contacts of the child have been prescribed clearance antibiotics. There are no links between this case and any previous cases.

"Meningococcal disease may be very severe and the community needs to be on the alert for its symptoms,” Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim said.

“If anyone suspects meningococcal disease, they should seek medical attention immediately." 

This is the seventh case of meningococcal disease from the Hunter New England region this year. In 2015 there were nine confirmed cases of meningococcal.

The first symptoms of meningococcal disease may include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour.

Later symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, nausea and vomiting, a rash of reddish-purple spots or bruises, and drowsiness. Babies with the infection can be irritable, not feed properly and have an abnormal cry.

"Meningococcal infection does not spread easily,” Dr Durrheim said.

“It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying it and close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on. It does not appear to be spread through saliva or by sharing drinks, food or cigarettes."