20 Oct 2011

Northland girl in hospital with suspected meningitis

4:08 pm on 20 October 2011

Health authorities in Northland are reporting another suspected case of meningitis.

Three people in the region have died of Type C meningococal disease since July this year.

A free vaccination programme for people aged 12 months to 20 years began earlier in October.

People vaccinated during the last epidemic are not protected against the current strain.

Northland Medical Officer of Health Jonathan Jarman says the suspected case involves a 12-year-old girl who was transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland on Wednesday.

Dr Jarman says if her diagnosis is confirmed, she will be the 13th case since the outbreak in Northland began.