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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 20) confirmed a case of meningococcal infection.
The case involved a 47-year-old man living in Sham Shui Po. He developed fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath on December 16 and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on December 17. He is now in stable condition.
He has no travel history within the incubation period. Contact tracing is being carried out by CHP.
There have been six cases of meningococcal infection so far in 2006. All are classified as local cases.
Six cases of meningococcal infection were reported in 2002, three in 2003, four in 2004, and four in 2005.
It is essential that people stay alert to the threat of meningococcal infection and take precautionary measures against the disease.
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 be variable. 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.
People are advised to:
* Wash hands frequently, observe good personal and environmental hygiene;
* 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.
* Travellers returning from endemic areas should consult doctors promptly if they feel unwell after the trip. Let your doctor know your travel history.
The public can visit the CHP's website http://www.chp.gov.hk for general information about the disease or visit the website of the Hong Kong Travel Health Service website http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk for information on the situation in other places.
Ends/Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:51
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