As tens of thousands of teenagers gear up for Schoolies celebrations, health experts are urging revellers to stay alert to the signs of a potentially deadly infection that can progress in hours.

More than 100 cases of meningococcal disease, a fast-moving bacterial infection, have been recorded in Australia this year, with teenagers aged 15 to 19 among the highest-risk groups.

Queensland has recorded 22 cases so far, making it a hotspot for the infection.

The disease, which spreads through close contact, can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (blood poisoning).

In rare instances, it can be fatal within 24 to 48 hours. Across all age groups, up to 10 per cent of cases prove fatal, while one in five survivors may suffer permanent disabilities, in

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