New case of meningococcal in WA

The fourth case of meningococcal has been diagnosed this year in Western Australia, with a young adult now recovering after being discharged from hospital.

The patient was diagnosed with strain-B of the uncommon, but potentially life-threatening illness, which is caused by a bacterial infection, the Department of Health said on Monday.

There is a global shortage of the strain-B vaccine, but in WA a free vaccine against strains A, C, W and Y is available for 15 to 19 year olds, and a vaccine to protect against strain C is provided free to children at 12 months of age.