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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 25) again called on the public to stay 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 26-year-old woman living in Southern District.
The woman, with good past health, presented with right calf pain on November 15. She consulted the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital the next day and was found to have an abscess on her right calf. She was admitted to hospital and an operation was done on November 18 to remove the abscess.
The patient is currently in stable condition in hospital. Her blood culture grew CA-MRSA.
She has no recent travel history. 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 healthcare 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 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/Friday, November 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:25
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