Wellington's Massey University is trying to track down anyone who has been in contact with a student who contracted meningococcal disease.
Health officials are on high alert after the student, in his 20s and from the College of Creative Arts, was admitted to hospital on Sunday afternoon. There are fears others may also have come down with the infectious disease.
Dr Annette Nesdale, Medical Officer of Health for the greater Wellington region, says they people to know "what are the signs and symptoms of the disease, what to watch out for and if they think they're unwell what to do about it".
She says symptoms can start off like the flu, including feeling hot or cold, a headache and muscle and joint pains.
But things can change quickly, with people experiencing a rash which "might look like little blisters under the skin", a sore neck, aversion to light and vomiting.
"It's always a very serious and concerning disease because people can go from being mildly unwell to very sick very quickly, and because it's bacterial and treated with antibiotics, the sooner someone gets to their doctor or a hospital the better it is for them," Dr Nesdale says.
Anyone in contact with the man or shares spaces with him will be given antibiotics in case they're carrying the disease, and if they aren't sick can continue their normal lives.
It is understood the student has since left hospital.
It's been only nine days since a nursing student in Dunedin died of the condition. In May a person from Wellington died from a strand of the disease which could not be immunised against.
Anybody who fears they may have contracted meningococcal disease should consult their doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 immediately.
Newshub.
