*************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received a report of a necrotising fasciitis case (flesh-eating disease) involving a 56-year-old woman.
The woman, living in Sha Tin, injured her right thumb and noted redness and swelling over the wound on July 13. She subsequently attended private doctors and was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on July 16. Debridement surgery was performed yesterday (July 21). The patient is now in stable condition. Laboratory tests on the wound swab yielded vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
CHP is now investigating the case.
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.
People 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/Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:30
NNNN
