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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 31) confirmed a human case of myiasis involving an 81-year-old man and urged people to guard against the disease caused by maggots of flies.
The patient, living in an elderly home in North District, suffered from gum bleeding on December 22. He went to the Accident and Emergency Department of the North District Hospital for treatment on the same day and was found to have maggots in his mouth. He was admitted to the hospital on December 26 and is now in stable condition.
CHP's investigations revealed that he had no recent travel history.
This is the 14th case of human myiasis this year. Fifteen cases were reported in 2006, six 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/Monday, December 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:45
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