The mainland outbreak follows similar occurrences in Chad, central Africa, and Baguio city in the northern Philippines.
All three outbreaks have been caused by the fatal meningococcal bacteria. A high fever quickly sets in within hours of contact, and death often follows within 24 to 48 hours if the condition is not diagnosed and treated early.
But the bacteria can have different manifestations. In both the mainland and Chad, the bacteria manifested itself as meningitis.
Fourteen meningitis cases were reported last month in three refugee camps in northern Chad, and a mass vaccination programme involving 178,000 doses was provided, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In the case of Baguio, the bacteria spread into victims' bloodstreams, resulting in septicaemia, or blood poisoning. The WHO has yet to declare the outbreak - which began on October 1 last year - over. The organisation has confirmed 98 cases and 32 deaths, equating to a case fatality ratio of one in three.
Meningococcal meningitis is usually an acute onset illness with symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting and a stiff neck. Meningococcal septicaemia causes a spreading rash and fever, with or without signs of meningitis, said Rick Brown, a public health specialist at the WHO's Western Pacific regional headquarters.