Three more players from Port Adelaide have contracted the illness, forcing the club to move quickly to eradicate the outbreak.
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Another three players at Port Adelaide have contracted viral meningitis, taking the total to five.
Jarrad Redden and John Butcher were admitted to hospital on the weekend with the illness, but both have since been released.
The three latest cases involve three of its SANFL Academy players, not from its AFL list.
All three players were hospitalised but have since been released.
In a statement, Port Adelaide said they are responding “quickly” and “aggressively” to eradicate the virus from the club’s Alberton facility.
Port Adelaide chief medical officer Dr Mark Fisher said the club had been in contact with the South Australian Department of Health to work out the best way to contain the outbreak.
“What has occurred here at Port Adelaide is a typical community outbreak that is not unusual within a small community environment like a football club,” Dr Fisher said.
“This virus is particularly prevalent within the community at this time of the year and it is most likely that someone has brought it into the club and it has spread from there.
“The common signs of viral meningitis include severe flu-like symptoms, headache and nausea.
“The good news is that John Butcher and Jarrad Redden are both out of hospital and on the mend resting at home. We would expect them to remain away from the club for the next seven to ten days.
“And our three Magpie players who were diagnosed in the last 48 hours have all progressed very well and are already home recuperating.”
Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas said the club had been vigilant since discovering the virus.
“Port Adelaide’s facility management procedures are already at AFL standard and although this virus is most likely to have been brought in from outside the club environment, it is clear that a fastidious commitment to our hygiene protocols is the best defence against the spread of infection,” he said.
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