*************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 18) received a report of a necrotising fasciitis case (flesh-eating disease) involving a 48-year-old man.
The patient returned from Shenzhen on February 15 with fever and bilateral lower limb swelling. He immediately attended Accident and Emergency Department of Pok Oi Hospital and was then transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital for further treatment. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate and he passed away today.
Laboratory tests on his blood and tissues of lower limbs yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
A CHP spokesman said necrotising fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It could destroy tissue and 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 they developed symptoms and signs of infection like increasing redness, pain and swelling.
Ends/Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:01
NNNN
