There are no links between this suspected case and any other meningococcal cases in other parts of the country.

Antiobiotic treatment is being arranged for the girl’s close contacts as a precaution to prevent the spread of infection.

There were 12 cases of meningococcal disease in the Hunter New England region in 2007, compared to 12 cases in 2006, 13 cases in 2005 and 24 cases in 2004.

Meningococcal disease affects about 110 people in NSW annually. Early detection and treatment can, in the majority of cases, result in full recovery.

Public health physician David Durrheim said seeking medical attention quickly could help prevent the development of serious complications.

“If anyone suspects meningococcal disease, they should seek medical attention immediately,” Dr Durrheim said.

The first symptoms of meningococcal disease include pain 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 feeding 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.”

Dr Durrheim stressed that while meningococcal disease could be serious, in most cases, early detection and treatment resulted in a complete recovery.

The two main strains of meningococcal disease include B and C.

A vaccine is effective against the less common meningococcal C strain, but there is currently no Australian vaccine for the B strain of the disease.

“The number of cases of this rare disease has been falling over the past 10 years due in part to the success of the meningococcal C vaccination program,” Dr Durrheim said.

Most cases of meningococcal disease are seen in infants, young children, teenagers and young adults, although people of any age can be infected.

o A baby is receiving treatment for a potentially deadly meningococcal infection in a Sydney hospital.

The three-month-old infant, from Sydney’s western suburbs, has been admitted to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

“The child is in a stable and satisfactory condition,” a hospital spokeswoman said yesterday.