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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 30) investigating a local case of human myiasis involving a 70-year-old man and has urged people to take measures to guard against the disease.
The patient, living in North District, had been suffering from pain in a wound on his right foot since August 20. He was admitted to North District Hospital on August 27. Maggots were found in the wound. He is still in hospital and is now in stable condition.
CHP's investigations revealed that he had no recent travel history.
This is the fifth case of human myiasis this year. Fifteen cases were reported in 2006, six cases in 2005, eight in 2004 and nine in 2003.
Human myiasis cases are caused by parasitic maggots of flies which infest with larvae the superficial wounds and body orifices such as mouth, ear and nose of debilitated people.
The larvae feed on the host's dead or living tissue, and may cause serious tissue damage, resulting in loss of function, injury to the skin, secondary invasion and death.
People, especially staff of elderly homes, are advised to take note of the following measures:
* All wounds should be treated immediately. Wound fluids and blood are known to be attractive to some species of flies. To avoid myiasis infestation, wounds should be cleaned and dressed properly;
* Fly infestation could be avoided by proofing measures, including installation of fly screening materials to human dwelling places, dressing of wounds and maintaining good ventilation;
* Observe good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Staff of elderly homes should ensure good environmental hygiene, be alert to inmates developing symptoms of the disease and arrange for inmates feeling unwell to seek medical consultation promptly.
Ends/Thursday, August 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:20
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