The Hunter New England region has confirmed the first case of meningococcal for 2015.
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A child is in a serious condition in a Hunter hospital after contracting the illness.
Close contacts of the patient 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."
Symptoms of meningococcal disease include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour.
Later symptoms 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.
Up to 10 per cent of patients with invasive meningococcal disease in Australia die.
"Meningococcal infection does not spread easily. 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," he said.
"It does not appear to be spread through saliva or by sharing drinks, food or cigarettes."
In 2014 there were 11 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in the Hunter New England Local Health District.
Most cases of meningococcal disease are seen in infants, young children, teenagers and young adults, although people of any age can be infected.