Fatal case of invasive pneumococcal disease under CHP investigation
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The patient, with good past health, presented with fever, cough, shortness of breath and vomiting since March 24, and then developed left-sided weakness and convulsion. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital on March 27 and was directly admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management. The patient passed away today.
Her clinical diagnoses were meningitis and sepsis. Her blood culture collected on March 27 tested positive for Streptoccocus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).
Preliminary investigations revealed that the girl had no recent travel history while her home contacts remained asymptomatic. No other similar case or respiratory tract infection outbreak has been reported so far at the kindergarten she attended. Advice on prevention of respiratory infectious diseases has been delivered to the management of the kindergarten.
Investigations by the CHP are ongoing.
"IPD is caused by a type of bacteria called pneumococcus and has been included as one of the statutorily notifiable infectious diseases since January 9, 2015. Parents should seek medical consultation immediately if their children develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection, such as fever and cough, even if their children have been immunised with the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine," a spokesman for the CHP remarked.
"Pneumococci are commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy people, particularly in children. They mainly spread from one person to another through coughing, sneezing or direct close contact. They can also spread via contact with materials soiled with sputum or nasal discharges of the infected," the spokesman explained.
However, the spokesman added, "As no existing vaccine can confer protection against all serotypes and IPD can occur even in vaccinated individuals, members of the public, regardless of vaccination history, should observe strict personal and environmental hygiene against infection."
To prevent pneumococcal infection, the CHP appealed to members of the public to take heed of the following advice:
* Keep hands clean and wash them properly; alcohol-based handrub is also effective when hands are not visibly soiled;
* Wash hands with liquid soap promptly when they are soiled by nasal discharges or sputum, for example, after sneezing or coughing;
* Cover the nose and mouth with tissue paper while sneezing or coughing;
* Always wrap nasal and mouth discharges with tissue paper. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
* Wear a mask when symptoms of respiratory tract infection develop;
* Do not share utensils and wash them thoroughly after use;
* Maintain good ventilation in indoor areas; and
* Avoid attending crowded and poorly ventilated public places if feeling unwell.
Members of the public can visit the CHP's website for general information about the infection.
Ends/Monday, April 10, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:06
Issued at HKT 18:06
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