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CHP urges vigilance against community-associated MRSA
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 20) called on the public to be vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug-resistant bacterium.

     The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving a 73-year-old woman.

     The woman, who has underlying medical conditions, presented with headache since May 31. She was found unconscious on June 6 and was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital. The clinical diagnoses were stroke and pneumonia.

     The patient is currently in critical condition. Her sputum collected grew CA-MRSA.

     The woman lives with her family in Canada. She came to Hong Kong on May 31. Her home contacts had no symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.

     MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide.

     In recent years, many countries have observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other health-care facilities or institutions, nor received medical procedures in the year before the onset of symptoms. They are known as CA-MRSA infections and usually have special patterns of antibiotic resistance.

     It is widely recognised that indiscriminate use of antibiotics may contribute to antibiotics resistance, a CHP spokesman said.

     People are advised not to use antibiotics without professional medical advice. If they are advised by doctors to take antibiotics, they should take the medicine according to the prescribed frequency and dosage. People should observe good personal hygiene including washing hands with liquid soap frequently.

     For further information on CA-MRSA, please visit the CHP website, www.chp.gov.hk.

Ends/Monday, June 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:33

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