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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of leptospirosis (an infectious disease caused by bacteria found in the waste of infected animals) involving a 19-year-old man today (July 25).
A CHP spokesman said the patient arrived in Hong Kong on July 2 and developed fever, chills, muscle pain and headache on July 6. He was admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital on July 10. He had recovered and was discharged on July 14.
Laboratory tests on his blood sample confirmed positive results for leptospirosis.
CHP's investigations revealed that he had travelled to Southeast Asian countries with friends during the incubation period. His travel companions did not show any symptoms. Further investigation by CHP is on-going.
This is the second case of leptospirosis reported to the CHP this year. There were seven, three and 10 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 human, and the incubation period is usually between five to 14 days.
The spokesman said people infected with leptospirosis commonly presented with a flu-like illness with high fever, headache, muscle pains, red eye, sore throat and rash. In some cases, the disease could cause anemia (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/Friday, July 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:46
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