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Monday, September 2, 2013

Hong Kong : Case of invasive meningococcal infection under CHP investigation

Press release via CHP :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 2) investigating a confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons, and hence appealed to the public for vigilance.

The 39-year-old female patient, with good past health, has presented with coryzal symptoms since August 27. The patient developed fever, vomiting and headache on August 29 and consulted a physician on the same day. She was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital after she developed acute confusion on August 30 and was transferred to a private hospital for intensive care on the same day.

The clinical diagnosis is meningitis and she is currently in a stable condition.

Her cerebrospinal fluid culture grew Neisseria meningitides, the bacteria causing meningococcal infection, upon confirmation by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP.

The patient has no recent travel history. Her household contacts remained asymptomatic. The CHP's investigation is proceeding.

This is the third confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection reported to the CHP this year. Four cases were filed in 2012 while eight were reported in 2011.

A CHP spokesman explained that meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact through respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, from infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, commonly three to four days."

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