Nearly 60 per cent of Hong Kong parents mistakenly believe that invasive meningococcal disease is no different from a common cold, a survey has found, prompting doctors to urge greater public awareness of the potentially fatal infection ahead of the summer travel season. The warning follows a survey by the Hong Kong Early Childhood Educators Association of 300 parents and teachers. Parents scored an average of 3.84 out of 10 on their knowledge of the disease, compared with 4.8 for teachers.