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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 16) called on the public to stay vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug-resistant bacterium.
The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving an 87-year-old man living in Central and Western District.
The man, with underlying illness, was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) on April 24 for lower back pain. He later developed pneumonia.
His sputum taken for culture yielded CA-MRSA.
The man was transferred from QMH to Grantham Hospital for further management on May 5. He is currently in stable condition.
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 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/Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:40
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