A 39-year-old man died this week from meningococcal disease, according to the County Health and Human Services Agency.
Officials are investigating as to whether this man's illness was linked to a Tijuana case. A local baby also recovered from the same disease late last month, though the infant's case is not related to the 39-year-old man's. The department said the general public does not have an increased risk of exposure for these two cases.
The illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides and can be severe if untreated, according to the Center for Disease Control. Officials said the disease can be spread through close contact, such as sharing utensils or kissing. Symptoms include fever, intense headache, lethargy, stiff neck and/or rash that does not blanch under pressure.
Last year in San Diego there were eight meningococcal disease cases in the county.