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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 19) called on people to be vigilant against infection from community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) - a drug resistant bacterium.
The appeal was made in view of the notification to the CHP of 37 confirmed cases in July this year, which was the highest monthly total in 2007 and 2008.
CHP's Consultant of Community Medicine, Dr SK Chuang, said investigations had indicated that except for two cases in the same family, the other cases were all sporadic and no further person-to-person transmission had occurred.
Dr Chuang said that these cases affected 20 males and 17 females aged from two months to 87 years.
Twenty-seven cases required hospital admission while 10 cases were managed as out-patient. The majority had skin and soft tissue infection and none had life-threatening forms of the disease.
Thirty-five of them have recovered and the remaining two are in hospital in stable condition.
MRSA is a type of staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide and is usually associated with hospital settings.
However, in recent years, many countries observed MRSA infections among healthy individuals in the community.
It is mainly transmitted through direct contact with wounds, discharge and soiled areas, usually via hands, which may then contaminate other areas of the body, items or surfaces.
Symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling, skin tenderness or pus drainage. Sometimes more serious effects such as purulent wound infections and severe pneumonia may occur, requiring hospitalisation and special antibiotics for treatment.
It is widely recognised that indiscriminate use of antibiotics may contribute to antibiotics resistance.
Dr Chuang said patients who were advised by doctors to take antibiotics should take the medicine according to the prescribed frequency and dosage and complete the whole course.
She said the risk of transmission could be minimised by maintaining good personal hygiene including washing hands with soap frequently and wearing gloves when touching grossly soiled items.
"People should clean any broken skin with waterproof adhesive bandages and wash hands before and after touching wounds.
"If they have an open wound, they should avoid contact sports and visiting public bath houses. They should also avoid sharing personal items such as unlaundered towels, clothing or uniforms and razors," Dr Chuang said.
Ends/Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:36
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