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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.
Ends/Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:51
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