Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
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Public urged to guard against meningococcal infection
17 May 2011
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 17) investigating a confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.
The case involved a 42-year-old man living in Kwun Tong. He presented with fever, malaise and rash since May 11. The patient was admitted to United Christian Hospital on May 14.
A blood specimen taken from the patient grew Neisseria meningitidis. He is now in stable condition.
Investigations showed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts are asymptomatic.
This is the fifth confirmed case of meningococcal infection this year. Two cases 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 bacteria invade 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:
-17 May 2011
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 17) investigating a confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.
The case involved a 42-year-old man living in Kwun Tong. He presented with fever, malaise and rash since May 11. The patient was admitted to United Christian Hospital on May 14.
A blood specimen taken from the patient grew Neisseria meningitidis. He is now in stable condition.
Investigations showed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts are asymptomatic.
This is the fifth confirmed case of meningococcal infection this year. Two cases 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 bacteria invade 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;
- Avoid crowded places;
- Avoid close contact with patients who have fever or severe headache; and
- Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, catch spit with a tissue and discard it into a bin with a lid before washing hands immediately.
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