The Centre for Health Protection confirmed today the year's first case of meningococcal infection involving a 48-year-old tourist. He is in critical condition at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

He arrived in Hong Kong on October 12 and came down with headache, muscle pain and cough on the same day. He consulted a private doctor on October 14 and was admitted to hospital the next day.

There were two cases last year, four in 2005 and six in 2006.

Meningococcal infection 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.

Severe illness can result when the meningococcus bacteria invade the bloodstream causing meningococcaemia, or the brain causing meningitis. Meningococcaemia is characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purple skin splotches, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningitis is characterised by the sudden onset of intense headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, intolerance to light and stiff neck. Click here for more information.