A preschool-aged child in Tasmania's north-west has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease, the state's public health service says.
The child, who attends Ulverstone Child Care Centre, was diagnosed on late Friday, and was on Monday in a stable condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
"There is no increased risk in the wider community," deputy director of Public Health Services Fay Johnston said in a statement.
"Public Health Services worked over the weekend to provide information and advice to the family and close contacts of the child.
"The contacts included family members, several staff and children who attend the centre."
Dr Johnston said the chance of a close contact developing the disease was "very low" and that children could continue to attend centre and visit other places.
The strain of the meningococcal bacteria is yet to be identified.
Meningococcal disease is mainly spread through droplets transmitted from the mouth and nose through coughing, sneezing, or close personal contact.
There are several strains of the bacteria and there are vaccines for some, but not all, of these.
Public health said this was the third case diagnosed in Tasmania in 2020. Numbers peaked in 2017 at 16 cases, with 11 cases in 2018, and 6 in 2019.
In 2018, a 16-year-old girl died after contracting the disease.
Anyone from the Ulverstone community seeking further information is asked to contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
