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A NINE-month-old baby has contracted the invasive meningococcal disease in Adelaide.

The infant is in hospital in a stable condition after being diagnosed with the meningococcal B strain.

Nine people who have been in contact with the baby have been administered clearance antibiotics.

Although the winter and spring months are commonly a higher risk for the disease, SA Health officials say there is no increased health risk to the public.

So far this year, 14 people have been diagnosed with meningococcal disease in South Australia.

Eight of the 14 cases have been B strain, four have been identified as the W strain and two have been Y.

In April this year sadly a SA toddler died from a suspected case of meningococcal disease.

93 percent of Australian parents believe that they know what meningococcal disease is, however on average nearly a third of Australian parents (28%) are not fully aware of the facts about the disease.

A national awareness campaign  #KnowMeningococcal is launching in partnership with Kyly Clarke – mum to Kelsey Lee and wife of Aussie Cricket legend Michael Clarke –  to encourage parents to know more about the devastating and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection.

3 Aussie families have recently shared their horrifying experience with meningococcal – read their stories here.

We hope the little one makes a speedy recovery.  Please be aware of the symptoms so you can protect your loved ones.

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  • it will be great to be able to mass vaccinate the community to help prevent this. Poor kid

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  • Hoping that this little one can get well very soon. I always find it quite terrifying to read about this potentially deadly illness.

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  • The rash from this disease can start from one faint spot to purple colour over a baby’s body within 2 – 3 hours.

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  • Yes I too hope the little one will make a speedy recovery, it’s just heartbreaking.

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  • This is a terrible thing for anyone to catch especially a nine month old. Hope this little one makes a speedy recovery. Need to find a cure for this as soon as possible

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  • 9 months old.. That’s young, little one. I’m sure he will fight the disease off. Get well soon! :-)

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  • I was home from work once. Felt ok but had red purple spots on my torso. I felt fine and as an unbreakable twenty something I never got advice. I always wonder if it was something like this.

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  • Such a scary disease and so important to raise awareness !

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  • such a horrible disease and thanks for sharing and making more people aware of this deadly disease that seems to be on the increase.

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  • Do hope hospitals and doctors recognise this disease before it gets to the stage of having to amputate limbs. So many times you hear of children and young people being sent home and then it is too late to save them fully. I do know the final symptoms to look for and it can happen to anyone of any age.

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  • Thanks for posting this – the more information parents know the better to be on top of this horrible disease.

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  • Get well soon bub.

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  • There seems to be an increase in this disease, or perhaps it’s that there are more strains. I get really nervous when I hear of new cases as I fear the statistics and outcomes. People need to be aware and act quickly.

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  • This disease just terrifies me.

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  • I wish we could eliminate this disease.

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