China-Meningococcal infection in seriously ill woman

[Tonka]

http://news.sina.com.hk/news/2/1/1/2435608/1.html
Chinese to English translation

Meningococcal infection in seriously ill woman
2011-09-14
Kowloon City, a 31-year-old woman infected with meningococcus. She is admitted to the isolation ward, in serious condition.

A patient has been in good health the last woman living alone in Kowloon City. September 12, she developed fever, headache and rash, the next day to St. Teresa's Hospital for treatment.

As the patient suspected septic shock, she was referred to live the same day the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.

Cerebrospinal fluid for testing by hospitals to patients, which found meningococcus. She is admitted to the isolation ward, in serious condition.

Patient during the incubation period and no travel history. CHP's investigations continue.

This was the first six confirmed cases of meningococcal infection in 2010 and 2009 were two such cases, while none of the cases in 2008.

A CHP spokesman said that meningococcal infection is caused by the meningococcus, the disease is transmitted by direct contact of meningococcal infection, the nose of the droplets. Incubation period varies from 2 to 10 days, commonly three to four days.

The clinical symptoms are not consistent; when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (causing meningococcaemia) or brain (meningitis), can cause serious illness. Meningococcaemia symptoms include sudden fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Symptoms of meningitis include sudden onset of intense headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, photophobia and stiff neck. Antibiotics can effectively treat early cases.

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: China-Meningococcal infection in seriously ill woman

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Vigilance urged against meningococcal infection


‎‎14 September ‎2011


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons, and appealed to the public for vigilance.

The case involves a 31-year-old woman, with good past health, living alone in Kowloon City.She presented with fever, headache and rash since September 12 and sought medical consultation at St Teresa's Hospital the next day.

The woman was referred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital because of suspected septic shock and was admitted on the same day.
Neisseria meningitides was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient.

She is now in an isolation ward in serious condition.

The patient had no travel history during the incubation period.CHP's investigation continues.

This is the sixth confirmed case of meningococcal infection this year. Two cases each were reported in 2010 and 2009, respectively. No case was reported in 2008.

A spokesman for the CHP said that meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is transmitted by direct contact, including droplets from the nose and throat of infected people. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, commonly three to four days.
The clinical picture may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacterium invades the bloodstream (causing meningococcaemia) or the brain (causing meningitis).

Meningococcaemia is characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningitis is characterised by the sudden onset of intense headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, photophobia and stiff neck. Early cases can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to:

• Wash hands frequently, and observe good personal and environmental hygiene practices;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Avoid close contact with patients who have fever or severe headache; and
• Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, and hold the spit with tissue, discard it into a bin with a lid and wash hands immediately.

Members of the public can visit the CHP's website, www.chp.gov.hk , for general information about the infection.
​

-
-------