Among the many questions that should be asked, is what, if any, vaccines the man received prior to the trip. - SM

http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,3657730%5E2%5E%5Enbv,00.html

Disease warning

26jan02

AN urgent health warning has been issued following the death of a young man from meningococcal disease.

The NSW Health Department said the 21-year-old Sydney man, who died last night, had taken a cruise earlier this month. The SA Health Department said a South Australian person travelling on the same cruise ship had also contracted the disease.

The Pacific Sky cruise from January 9-18 visited three ports in Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

The man attended the One World Sports nightclub at Sydney's Darling Harbour before becoming sick.

The 1000 people on the cruise and anybody who attended the nightclub on January 19 have been urged to contact their doctor or visit a hospital if they believe they have symptoms of the disease.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.