Sixth WA meningococcal case in one month

A middle-aged adult is in hospital after contracting the sixth case of meningococcal disease in Western Australia this month.

Twenty-two cases of meningococcal have been diagnosed in WA this year compared with 23 for 2016.

The health department warns of an increase in cases amid new, virulent strains of serogroup Y meningococcal bacteria, including the potentially deadly serogroup W.

A combination vaccine that protects against four strains of the potentially deadly meningococcal disease has been approved for use in babies by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.