ACT Health has confirmed an Australian Defence Force Academy cadet officer is in Canberra Hospital in a serious but stable condition after contracting Meningococcal Disease.
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Chief Health Officer on duty Dr Paul Dugdale said the cadet presented to the Duntroon Health Centre on Saturday evening.
The cadet was then transferred by ambulance to Canberra Hospital.
ACT Health Public Health Officials have worked with the Joint Health Command to provide preventive antibiotics to the seven cadets that live on the same floor of the barracks as the patient, and education about meningococcal disease has been provided to all others living at the ADFA.
“We have worked closely with Joint Health Command and ADFA to stop any spread of meningococcal disease between the cadets or out to the wider community," Dr Dugdale said.
"ADFA’s preventive use of vaccination and their rapid diagnosis and the local public health response have been impressive.”
Meningococcal Disease has a number of different strains, and it is not yet known whether the cadet has Meningococcal A, B or C.
All cadets are routinely vaccinated against Meningococcal C, the most aggressive form of the disease.
Public Health Officials have said they are not aware of any other cases in the ACT at present.
The Duntroon Health Centre is also on high alert to look out for further cases of the disease among other cadets.
Meningococcal is a potentially deadly disease which is rare in Australia, but is most common in children less than five years of age and in those aged 15-25 years.
Symptoms can include fever, neck stiffness, severe headache, vomiting, muscle or joint pain, a rash, drowsiness, sensitivity to bright lights or coma.
While Meningococcal Disease is uncommon, there have been five reported instances of the disease in Western Australia this year.
