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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a fatal case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease), involving an 89-year-old man who lived in Tuen Mun.
The patient, with a history of multiple medical conditions, suffered abdominal pain on August 22. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital the next day and was found to have an ulcer on his left leg. The patient experienced sudden cardiac arrest a few hours after admission and failed to respond to resuscitation. The case was referred to the coroner for further investigation.
Laboratory tests on the swab taken from the patient's leg ulcer revealed Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis. Autopsy findings revealed that the deceased had necrotizing fasciitis in his left calf.
The deceased had no known contact with seawater or seafood before death. He had no recent travel history and his home contact was asymptomatic.
People are reminded to adopt the following measures to prevent necrotizing fasciitis:
* Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to seawater or salty water;
* Wounds should be thoroughly cleaned and properly covered; and
* Wear thick rubber gloves when handling raw shellfish.
Patients should seek medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms and signs of infection such as increasing redness, pain and swelling.
Ends/Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:48
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