NSW child has meningococcal

A child with meningococcal disease is in serious condition in a hospital in the NSW Hunter region.

Those who have been in close contact with the child have been prescribed antibiotics, Hunter New England Health confirmed.

Swift action was the key to preventing the development of the potentially fatal disease.

Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim says the first symptoms include pain in the legs, cold hands and abnormal skin colour.

"Meningococcal disease may be very severe and the community needs to be on the alert for its symptoms," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

"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."

There are no links between this case and any previous case.

Up to 10 per cent of patients in Australia die as a result of the infection, according to Hunter New England Health.