22 Mar 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 22) investigating a confirmed case of meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with infected persons' droplets.
The case involved a 60-year-old woman living in Mei Foo. She developed headache, malaise and flu like symptom on March 16 and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on March 18 with fever. She is now in stable condition.
Laboratory tests confirmed that she had meningococcal meningitis.
Investigations showed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts were asymptomatic.
This is the first confirmed case of meningococcal infection this year. Two cases were reported in 2009 and 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 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.