The latest suspected victim of meningococcal disease in Cairns in far north Queensland is a toddler. Public health medical officer Dr Steven Donohue said doctors are also investigating two other suspected cases in Cairns.

"One case in a toddler is suspicious and in fact we've launched a contact tracing exercise in anticipation that that one could be confirmed," he said as quoted by reports from ABC News. "The cases are certainly more than the usual case."

Also, the latest confirmed case of meningococcal disease in northern Queensland in the past week is said to be improving.

The 19-year-old is in a stable condition in the Cairns Base Hospital.

A 70-year-old woman, said to be a tourist, is also diagnosed with meningococcal disease. She is listed as critical but stable in Townsville Hospital.

A student of James Cook University died from the disease last week.

Dr. Steven Donohue, Queensland Health spokesman, says it is odd to have a few cases all in a bunch.

He further said, "Whether or not there's a more nasty type of meningococcal germ around at the moment that's something we're just going to have to check on.".

"But this still remains a very uncommon disease and people shouldn't worry too much about it."

MedlinePlus describes Meningococcemia as a disease caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitides, that frequently lives in a person's upper respiratory tract without causing visible signs of illness. The bacteria can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. That is, one may become infected of the bacteria, if someone around you with the condition sneezes or coughs.

Often, family members and those with close contact to someone with the condition are at increased risk of contracting the disease. The infection occurs more frequently in winter and early spring.