The Centre for Health Protection is investigating the year's second case of meningococcal infection involving a 36-year-old man who died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The patient, who lived in Tsim Sha Tsui, developed fever on November 5 and was found collapsed at his home the next day. He was immediately admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and died on November 7.

He had no travel history during the incubation period. Laboratory test results confirmed he had meningococcal meningitis.

No case was reported last year and there were two cases in 2007.

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.

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