A BABY boy has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease in the state’s third confirmed case since last Thursday.

Director of public health Dr Mark Veitch said the three month-old infant was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital on Thursday with symptoms consistent with the bacterial infection.

“Testing conducted last night and today confirmed the child had meningococcal disease,” he said.

“The child is in a stable condition in the RHH. Population Health Services has initiated a public health response to ensure the risk of a secondary infection is minimised.

“This includes providing family and close contacts with advice and an antibiotic, and providing information about meningococcal symptoms to people who may have had lesser contact with the child.”

The baby’s case is not believed to be linked with either of the two cases from last week.

Acton Park teen Sarah Rose Beltz died from meningococcal disease last Thursday just hours after she was rushed to emergency.

A 20-year-old man was released from the RHH on Friday after the acute bacterial infection was detected during tests on Saturday.

The strains of meningococcal bacteria involved in both cases have since been determined but have not yet been made public.

Dr Veitch said Tasmania typically has five or six cases of meningococcal disease a year. This is the third Tasmanian case in 2018.

“Meningococcal disease is rare but serious,” he said.

“Cases of meningococcal disease are slightly more common during winter and spring, but can occur at any time in any place and affect people of any age.”

The symptoms of meningococcal disease can include fever, severe headache, confusion, severe muscle pain, and rash.

Babies and infants may not have these symptoms but can be unsettled or drowsy, pale or blotchy, floppy and not feeding.

Anyone who becomes “unusually and severely” unwell should seek emergency medical care.