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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health confirmed a case of meningococcal infection today (November 16).
The case involved a nine-month-old baby girl living in Tai Po. She developed fever and running nose on November 13 and was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nerthersole Hospital on November 14. She is now in stable condition.
She has no travel history within the incubation period. Nine home contacts of the patient are asymptomatic. They are being put under medical surveillance.
There have been a total of five cases of meningococcal infection so far in 2006. All of them 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 members of the public 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.
Members of the public 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/Thursday, November 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:47
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