30 January 2017 - A national approach to the deadly W strain of Meningococcal disease is being considered by Australia's health chief, as concerns rise over an increase in the number of cases.

The W strain is a more deadly form of the disease, with a higher-than-usual death rate of around 10 per cent.

Those who survive the disease have a one-in-30 chance of severe skin scarring, loss of limbs and severe brain damage, according to the Immunise Australia program.

A spokeswoman for the Federal Department of Health said Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, had established a focused group within the department to examine the strain's epidemiology and was co-ordinating a national level response.

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