A NSW teenage girl who attended Spilt Milk in Canberra has died from meningococcal disease, as authorities continue to warn people to be alert to symptoms.

The 18-year-old from the NSW South Coast reportedly passed away in a Canberra Hospital and is now the third recorded NSW meningococcal death this year. The previous two deaths were a man in his 40s, who died after attending Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay in July, and a man in his 20s, who died in November.

On Saturday 3 December, ACT Health issued a warning for those who attended Spilt Milk to be alert for meningococcal symptoms.

“We are urging people who attended the Spilt Milk festival at Exhibition Park in Canberra on the weekend to be aware of the symptoms of meningococcal disease. One of the more well-known symptoms is a rash but this may not be present at all, or may come very late in the illness,” said ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman.

NSW Health says there have been 29 cases reported this year, the majority due to meningococcal B strain of the infection.

A woman in her late teens died recently from the disease and NSW Health is warning it can be fatal within hours if left untreated. 

Meningococcal disease is now uncommon, but there has been a slight increase in cases in recent weeks, compared with the same period over the previous five years.

The disease can occur in people even if they have been vaccinated and children under five and 15 to 25-year-olds are at the greatest risk of contracting the infection.

NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty says early intervention can be lifesaving.

“Meningococcal disease symptoms can appear suddenly and become very serious very quickly.

“I urge everyone not to discount symptoms when they appear or assume it may be just a mild infection. If you suspect meningococcal disease, don’t wait for the rash – see a doctor immediately,” Dr McAnulty said in a statement.

The symptoms include: severe, unexplained limb pain, difficulty waking up, high pitched crying in babies, severe headache, aversion to bright lights, stiff neck, and a red-purple rash which doesn’t disappear when pressed with a glass.

The rash does not always occur, or may present late in the illness.

“If symptoms rapidly worsen, or if your child is very unwell, call triple zero or go straight to your nearest emergency department,” Dr McAnulty said.

With AAP