Hong Kong expert urges vaccination due to rising infections

Hong Kong is experiencing a rise in life-threatening meningococcal infections, leading an expert to urge travelers to consider vaccination. Five cases have been reported in the first four months of 2025, including one fatality. The increase matches the total number of cases for all of 2024. Dr. Mike Kwan Yat-wah, president of the Asian Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases, emphasized the potential for community spread and the need for public awareness. Meningococcal infections, caused by a bacterium, can cause severe symptoms like high fever, headache, and rashes. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to provide more information about the disease.