HPA Completes Contact Tracing for Meningococcal Case, No New Cases

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) announced today that it has completed contact tracing following a confirmed case of invasive meningococcal disease reported in the Maldives last Saturday. According to HPA, no symptoms were detected among the patient’s identified contacts.

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory droplets. In response to the confirmed case, the HPA implemented precautionary measures, including contact tracing and administering preventive medication to individuals at higher risk.

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The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are typically transmitted through respiratory secretions such as saliva—most commonly via coughing, sneezing, or close personal contact. Those at highest risk are individuals who had prolonged or close exposure to the patient, such as sharing confined spaces or contact with nasal secretions.

The HPA emphasised that casual contact, such as briefly sharing a room or having minimal interaction, does not pose a high risk for transmission.