The baby is one of 27 cases of meningococcal reported this year.
Camera IconThe baby is one of 27 cases of meningococcal reported this year. Credit: REUTERS

WA baby hospitalised with meningococcal B strain

Cathy O'LearyPerthNow

A BABY is being treated in hospital for meningococcal disease, the 27th case in WA this year.

The WA Health Department said the infant was recovering after being diagnosed with a B-strain of the bacterial infection which mostly affects the blood or the membranes that line the spinal cord and brain.

Of the 27 cases reported this year, 18 have been caused by W strains, seven have been B strains and two Y strains.

There were 46 cases of meningococcal disease in WA last year, which was double the number reported in 2016 and the most in any year since 2005.

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