A major health scare has run through Barellan with more than 150 people potentially exposed to meningococcal disease at the town’s football club’s presentation night.
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Murrumbidgee Local Health District has written to everyone who attended the Barellan Two Blues presentation night on September 19 to inform them they may have come into contact with someone who had a confirmed case of the disease.
A 61-year-old man – understood to be the father of one of the club’s players – at the presentation night was diagnosed soon after with meningococcal and treated at Griffith Base Hospital.
He has since been released and is believed to be recovering well.
“Those who had close contact with the person during their incubation period have been provided with clearance antibiotics to reduce the risk of ongoing spread of the infection,” MLHD public health director Tracey Oakman said.
Ms Oakman said the risk of other cases arising was “very low”.
The club put out a warning on its Facebook page after being informed of the meningococcal case at its presentation night.
“We’ve just put out a warning just (to) follow the health protocol,” Two Blues president Mark Kenny said.
“Anyone that was at the function, this has occurred and just (be) aware.”
The letter sent out to attendees stressed the risk of infection minimal for those who were not in contact with the infected man, as meningococcal bacteria is difficult to spread.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease include sudden onset of fever, joint and muscle soreness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, tiredness and rashes.
