Tests confirm woman died from meningococcal disease

The woman, from Corrimal, was taken to hospital unconscious on Wednesday morning and died nearly three hours later.

Dr Phillipa Binns from the health service's public health unit says it believes the risk for the woman's close contacts getting the disease is very low.

"Those identified as close contacts have been recommended the clearance with antibiotics, so we believe the risk now and always is actually very rare for meningococcal disease, but it is still important at any time that people are aware of the symptoms," she said. SOURCE: © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation