An elderly woman from the Hunter has died from a confirmed case of meningococcal disease, health authorities have confirmed.
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It comes one week after the local health district revealed a toddler had died after contracting the disease the New England area.
The elderly woman's death was the fifth confirmed case of meningococcal disease in the Hunter New England region this year.
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"This is a tragic event and our sympathies are with the woman's family at this very difficult time," public health physician Dr Craig Dalton said.
NSW Health is urging people to be alert to lesser-known signs of meningococcal disease, with 22 cases already reported across the state this year and the peak period for the illness still more than a month away.
Dr Dalton said cases normally started to increase towards the end of flu season when people's immune systems were weaker from viruses.
"Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can cause death within hours and it's hard to identify, so the more symptoms people know about, the better," he said.
"Often it can mimic other common illnesses, so be aware nearer spring that nausea symptoms, vomiting, neck stiffness, joint pain, light sensitivity, or a sudden fever, could be something else.
"Most people normally associate meningococcal disease with a rash of red-purple spots or bruises but in some cases a rash doesn't appear, or it could be the last symptom to take shape."
Meningococcal infection does not spread easily. It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying the bacteria. Close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on.
"It more commonly occurs in people aged between 15-24 years [old], as they tend to be involved in more intimate social activities such as kissing, and children aged under five years, but it can affect anyone," Dr Dalton said.
Vaccination is the best means of protection against meningococcal disease. Vaccination for meningococcal disease types A, C, W and Y is available on the National Immunisation Program for infants at 12 months of age and adolescents in Year 10.
Any adolescents aged 15 to 19 years who miss the vaccine at school are eligible for a free vaccine from their GP.
However, as there are several strains of meningococcal disease, and vaccination does not cover all strains, even vaccinated people need to be on the lookout for symptoms.
The latest Annual Immunisation Report shows vaccination rates in NSW are at their highest level ever, with close to 95 per cent of five-year-olds fully vaccinated.
