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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 5) confirmed a case of meningococcal infection.
Case details are as follow:
Age: 50
Sex: Female
Place of residence: Yuen Long
Date of Onset: May 30
Symptoms: Fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting
Present condition: Admitted to North District Hospital on May 31. Now in stable condition.
Travel history: Nil within the incubation period
Home contacts: Three home contacts have no symptoms but have also received chemoprophylaxis.
They are being put under medical surveillance.
Cumulative total in 2006: 2
Imported: 0
Local: 2
Total number of meningococcal infection cases in recent years: 6 in 2002, 3 in 2003, 4 in 2004 and 4 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.
People 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/Monday, June 5, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:16
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