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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 19) confirmed a case of leptospirosis (an infectious disease caused by bacteria found in the waste of infected animals) involving a 12-year-old boy.
This is the first case of leptospirosis reported to the CHP this year.
A CHP spokesman said the patient, living in Fanling, developed fever, malaise and skin rash on May 13. He was admitted to a private hospital on May 20 and was then transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital on May 26. He recovered and was discharged on June 2.
Laboratory tests on his blood sample confirmed positive results for leptospirosis today.
CHP's investigations revealed that he had no recent travel history. Further investigation by CHP is on-going.
There were seven, three and three cases of leptospirosis reported to the CHP in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.
The spokesman said leptospirosis was a zoonotic (animal) disease caused by the bacteria, leptospira, which could be found in some animals including rodents, cattle, pigs, horses and dogs.
Most human infections occur through contact with urine excreted by infected mammals primarily through skin abrasions, open wounds or mucous membranes, and occasionally through ingestion or inhalation.
The disease is normally not transmissible among humans, and the incubation period is usually between five and 14 days.
The spokesman said people infected with leptospirosis commonly presented with a flu-like illness with high fever, headache, muscle pains, red eyes, sore throat and rash. In some cases, the disease can cause anaemia (a kind of blood disease) and affect the liver, kidneys, lungs and other internal organs. The disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
"Overseas outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually related to occupational or recreational water exposures, such as water contaminated with urine of infected animals," the spokesman said.
The risk of infection can be minimised by covering open wounds properly and avoiding contact with urine of live mammals and objects contaminated by them as well as polluted water, he said.
Ends/Thursday, June 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:01
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