9-year-old boy dies after invasive pneumococcal disease

A 9-year-old boy died after the onset of an invasive pneumococcal disease.

The boy was previously healthy but starting on the 10th of this month, he began to suffer from a fever, runny nose and chest pain while coughing. He sought medical help at a private clinic on that day and on the 13th.

The symptoms persisted on the 14th, during which he experienced shortness of breath, and was brought to Tin Shui Wai Hospital's A&E services.

Hospital staff promptly transferred him to Tuen Mun Hospital where he received further treatment at the paediatric intensive care unit. His condition worsened and he died the next day.

Clinical diagnosis determined that the boy suffered from empyema, an infection involving pus developing in the cavity between the lungs and chest, as well as septic shock and acute kidney failure.

Initial investigations indicated the child did not travel overseas during the incubation period, while his family and close contacts have not shown signs of infection.