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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 12) received a report of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving a 52-year-old woman.
The woman, living in Shatin, injured her right index finger while washing fish at home on June 7. She developed fever and right arm and elbow redness as well as swelling two days later, and was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on the same day. The patient is now in critical condition.
Laboratory tests on the wound swab yielded vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
Investigation by CHP is on-going.
A CHP spokesman said necrotising fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It can destroy tissue and can cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection.
Members of the public are reminded to adopt the following preventive measures:
- Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to seawater or salty water;
- Wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and properly covered;
- Wear thick rubber gloves when handling raw shellfish;
Patients should seek medical advice promptly if symptoms and signs of infection like increasing redness, pain and swelling are found.
Ends/Thursday, June 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:31
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