The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said Friday they are investigating a confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.
The case involves a 32-year-old woman with good past health. She has presented with fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea and skin rash since February 24. She attended a general practitioner on February 25 and was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on the same day. She was subsequently admitted and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit as she developed hypotension and shock. She is now in stable condition after treatment.
According to the laboratory test result of PMH, the blood specimen taken from the patient grew Neisseria meningitidis.
Preliminary investigation by the CHP showed that the patient had no recent travel history. Her home contacts were asymptomatic.
The CHP’s investigation is continuing.
This is the first confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection reported to the CHP this year. Five cases were filed in 2014 while there were three in 2013.
