Meningococcal outbreak in central Queensland, Australia

Three Queensland children have contracted the potentially deadly meningococcal disease, two of whom are in a serious condition.

Queensland Health has confirmed three Gladstone children were in hospital with the disease.

Two of the children are in a serious but stable condition, one in Brisbane's Royal Children's Hospital and the second in Rockhampton's hospital, while a third child, also in Rockhampton's hospital, is said to be in a stable and improving condition.

Antibiotics will be offered to all children and staff at a child care centre the sick children have been linked to, Queensland Health says.

One of the children attended the centre while the other two have indirect links to it.

Public Health physician Dr Sonya Bennett said the centre's other children and staff may be carriers of the meningococcal bacteria and will be offered antibiotics. Read More