A WA child is recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with a rare and potentially deadly infection.

WA Health confirmed the child has meningococcal serogroup B disease, the fifth case of invasive meningococcal disease recorded in the State this year.

Four of the 2026 cases have been caused by serogroup B and one by serogroup Y.

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious bacterial infection that can invade the bloodstream or affect the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

It can also infect other parts of the body including the throat, lungs and joints.

The disease can deteriorate rapidly and, despite being treatable with antibiotics, can be fatal.

WA recorded 13 cases of meningococcal disease in 2025, including 12 caused by serogroup B and one by serogroup Y.

Health authorities are urging people to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms consistent with meningococcal disease.

Symptoms can include sudden fever, chills, headache, a stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion and intense muscle or joint pain.

A distinctive red or purple rash can also develop, appearing as small spots caused by bleeding beneath the skin or resembling bruising.

However, a rash is not present in every case.

Vaccination remains an important protection against meningococcal disease, with two vaccines available in WA.

The MenACWY vaccine protects against four serogroups — A, C, W and Y — while the MenB vaccine targets serogroup B.

MenACWY is provided free to children at 12 months of age and to Year 10 students, with a catch-up program available for teenagers aged 15 to 19.

While most people who contract invasive meningococcal disease recover when treatment is given promptly, the infection can have devastating consequences.

Between 5 and 10 per cent of people who develop the disease die, while about 15 per cent of survivors can be left with lasting complications including hearing loss, brain injury and loss of limbs.