Travellers Advised to be Vigilant Against Meningococcal Meningitis

There have been media reports about fatal meningococcal meningitis outbreaks in some provinces of China. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring the situation and urges members of the public to observe good personal hygiene to prevent meningococcal infection.

Disease Information

Meningococcal meningitis is an acute bacterial disease, characterised by sudden onset of intense headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, photophobia and stiff neck. There are also signs of neurological involvement such as lethargy, delirium, coma and convulsions. In patients less than 1 year of age, meningitis may present with bulging fontanelles without other signs and symptoms.

Meningococcal infection is transmitted by direct contact, including droplets from nose and throat of infected patients. The incubation period varies from 2 to 10 days, commonly 3 to 4 days. Early cases can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Travellers should note the following health advice when they go to high incidence areas

1. Observe good personal and environmental hygiene, wash hands frequently.
2. Avoid crowded places.
3. Avoid close contact with patients having fever or severe headache.
4. Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue,
discard it into a bin with a lid and wash hands immediately.
5. Travellers should bring along masks with them.
6. Regarding the need of vaccination, travellers may consult doctors before the trip.
7. Travellers should consult doctors promptly if they feel unwell after the trip and inform doctors of the travel history.

For enquires on meningococcal infection, please call the Department of Health hotline at 2575 1221 during office hour or visit the website of the Hong Kong Travellers' Health Service at http://www.info.gov.hk/trhealth/e_HKTHS.htm.

Centre for Health Protection
Department of Health
1 February 2005