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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a leptospirosis case.
The patient is a 46-year-old man with good past health. He developed fever, chills and muscle pain on December 6. He attended Pok Oi Hospital on December 8 and was transferred to the intensive care unit at Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day for further treatment. The patient is now in serious condition.
Serology tests confirmed that he had leptospirosis.
Investigation revealed that he had travelled to Mainland China during the incubation period. His travel collaterals are asymptomatic. The patient keeps a dog at home.
CHP's investigation continues.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria leptospira which can 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 humans.
The incubation period is usually between four to 19 days.
A CHP spokesman said people infected with leptospirosis commonly presented with a flu-like illness with high fever, headache, muscle pain, red eye, sore throat and rash. In some cases, the disease can cause anaemia and affect the liver, kidneys, lungs, and other internal organs. The disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
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, the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, December 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:18
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