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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 23) received a report of a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving a 69-year-old man.
The man, living in Sham Shui Po, injured his left middle finger when handling a crab at home on June 16. The man presented with fever and painful swelling over his left leg on June 18 and attended Caritas Medical Centre the next day.
He later underwent surgery and is currently in serious condition.
Laboratory tests on his blood culture yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
His home contacts are asymptomatic.
A CHP spokesman said necrotising fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It can destroy tissues 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 cleaned and properly covered;
* Wear thick rubber gloves when handling raw shellfish.
Patients should seek medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms and signs of infection like increasing redness, pain and swelling.
Ends/Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:39
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