Department of Health Investigating Death

The Department of Health suspects a 21-year-old man in the Sydney area died this week as a result of meningococcal infection.

Public Health Services of the Eastern Region Health Board has treated people who may have been in contact with the man. There is no increased risk of meningococcal infection to the general public.

In 1997, two people died in Nova Scotia as a result of meningococcal infection.

Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium. It is spread from person to person by direct contact with saliva or respiratory secretions.