Teenage girl, 19, dies from meningococcal disease – less than a month after the rare disease killed a 28-year-old woman

  • A teenage girl has died from meningococcal disease in the Central Coast, NSW
  • Mischelle Rhodes, 19, died from the deadly disease at Gosford Hospital last week
  • Comes less than a month after Central Coast woman, 38, died from the disease
  • The strain has not yet been identified but the two deaths are not linked 

By Zoe Zaczek For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A teenage girl has died from meningococcal disease less than a month after the rare disease killed a local woman.

Health authorities confirmed Mischelle Rhodes, 19, died from the disease at Gosford Hospital on New South Wales' Central Coast last week.

The death comes weeks after a 38-year-old Central Coast woman was killed by W strain of meningococcal disease at the beginning of August.   

Health authorities confirmed Mischelle Rhodes (pictured), 19, died from the disease at Gosford Hospital, in New South Wales' Central Coast, last week

Health authorities confirmed Mischelle Rhodes (pictured), 19, died from the disease at Gosford Hospital, in New South Wales' Central Coast, last week

The death comes weeks after a 38-year-old Central Coast woman was killed by W strain of meningococcal disease at the beginning of August

The death comes weeks after a 38-year-old Central Coast woman was killed by W strain of meningococcal disease at the beginning of August

The strain of the disease has not been confirmed but authorities say they don't believe the two cases are linked.   

Central Coast Local Health District Director Public Health Dr Peter Lewis said those who had close contact with the young woman were prescribed clearance antibiotics to reduce the risk of it being spread to anyone else.

'Our thoughts are with the family of this young woman at this tragic time,' Dr Lewis said.

'If anyone in the community develops any symptoms of meningococcal disease, it's important that they seek medical advice immediately. 

The strain of the disease has not been confirmed but there is no link between the two cases

The strain of the disease has not been confirmed but there is no link between the two cases

What are symptoms of meningococcal? 

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Neck stiffness 
  • Lack of appetite
  • Joint pain 
  • Unusual skin colour 
  • Extreme tiredness 
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea 
  • Drowsiness
  • Convulsions, fits or twitching
  • Red-purple rash  

Source: Department of Health 

Advertisement

'Meningococcal disease is very uncommon in NSW and only two other cases have been notified in CCLHD this year, and only one case for the whole of last year.' 

Meningococcal bacteria does not survive well outside the body and is not easily spread from person to person. 

The bacteria are passed between people in the secretions from the back of the nose and throat and generally requires close and prolonged contact, such as living in the same household. 

Friends of the young woman have shared their condolences following the shocking death.

'Words can't describe how much we will all miss you, you filled our lives with laughter and the best memories, until we meet again, bless your gorgeous soul,' said one friend.  

Central Coast Local Health District Director Public Health Dr Peter Lewis said those who had close contact with the young woman were prescribed clearance antibiotics to reduce the risk of it being spread to anyone else (pictured: Gosford Hospital) 

Central Coast Local Health District Director Public Health Dr Peter Lewis said those who had close contact with the young woman were prescribed clearance antibiotics to reduce the risk of it being spread to anyone else (pictured: Gosford Hospital) 

Neisha Monteleone, who went to high school with Ms Rhodes, told Daily Mail Australia the young woman was a 'much loved friend.' 

'There wasn't one person who wasn't friends with Mischelle,' she said.

'She was a kind soul and a beautiful friend to all who will sadly be missed.'

Ms Rhodes was studying a Bachelor of Security Studies at Macquarie University and previously attended St Peter's Catholic College at Tuggerah.  

In Ms Rhodes last Instagram post on August 25, the young girl appeared to be enjoying time at the snow (pictured)

In Ms Rhodes last Instagram post on August 25, the young girl appeared to be enjoying time at the snow (pictured)

MENINGOCOCCAL W RESPONSE PROGRAM

The NSW Government has invested $17 million in the Meningococcal W Response Program since 2017. 

The vaccine was offered free to students in Year 11 and Year 12 in 2017 and to students in Years 10 and 11 in 2018, and will be extended to students in Year 10 in 2019. 

More than 200,000 teenagers have been vaccinated with the meningococcal ACWY vaccine already.

Young people aged 15 to 19 years who did not receive the vaccine at school are able to receive it for free from their GP until the end of this year. 

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is also given to children aged 12 months under the national schedule.

 SOURCE: Central Coast Local Health District

Most watched News videos

Comments 1

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.