Be on alert for the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease

Two other cases are being monitored by NSW health. In Victoria, a Ballarat school staff member has also been diagnosed with the disease. The cases are not believed to be linked.

Experts warn meningococcal progresses quickly and could be deadly without prompt medical attention. So, recognising the early signs could be a lifesaver.

Paediatric critical care nurse Sarah Duncanson said the symptoms of meningococcal were easily missed because they were common and non-specific.

This fast-moving infection is "pretty scary stuff," she said.

Meningococcal disease mainly affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord but can manifests in various forms, including bloodstream infections.

Meningococcal bacteria are transmitted between people through respiratory droplets or contact with respiratory fluids including saliva.

This can happen through close and prolonged contact including crowded living environments, sharing utensils, drinks and kissing. All increasing the risk of transmission.

The onset of meningococcal disease could be sudden and progress rapidly, Ms Duncanson said.

"We've seen kids in ICU who have come in with a few dots and within 12 to 24 hours they have a full-blown meningococcal infective rash," she said.

The early warning signs can mimic common viral symptoms including fever, headache, nausea and muscle pain.

More specific signs might appear as the disease advances including a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion and a meningococcal rash.

"If treatment is delayed that's when we see the long-term ramifications of meningococcal," she said.

Severe cases of the disease could lead to septic shock, organ failure and death within hours.

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Meningococcal remains a concern with sporadic outbreaks throughout the country despite ongoing vaccination campaigns, Ms Duncanson said.

Vaccination is a vital tool in tackling meningococcal disease, she said.

Ms Duncanson said Australia experienced a boom in babies over the pandemic lockdowns who didn't have access to normal health services, GP check-ins and routine vaccinations.

"There was a lack of face-to-face maternal and child health appointments during the pandemic, which is when parents are often told which vaccinations are coming up," she said.

Many of those kids were born to first-time parents who may not have been prompted to follow the baby health and development plans during the lockdowns.

"There's a whole generation of infants that skipped the medical foundation that we all got," she said.

Routine childhood immunisation programs covered school kids and catch-up vaccines were available for older age groups.

Good personal hygiene including covering coughs and sneezes, practicing regular handwashing and avoiding close contact with infected people helped minimise transmission.

Prompt recognition of symptoms and seeking medical attention was vital because early diagnosis and treatment gives patients a greater chance at avoiding the disease's nastiest symptoms, she said.