WA meningococcal patient seriously ill

Two young children and an elderly adult have been diagnosed with meningococcal disease in Western Australia in the past week, including one case of the potentially deadly W strain.

Two have recovered and been discharged from hospital while one remains seriously ill.

The Department of Health says the cases are not linked and involve the B, W and Y serogroups.

There have been 29 confirmed cases of meningococcal in WA this year, up from 23 cases in 2016, comprising 14 of the W strain, six Y, seven B and one C infection, plus a case where the type could not be determined.

Of the 29 cases this year, 16 were reported since July.

Cases of the disease peaked at 86 in 2000 and fell to a low of 16 in 2013.