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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 11) investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis (NF) affecting a woman aged 80.
The patient, with chronic illness, presented with fever and painful swelling of her right forearm on September 7 and was admitted to United Christian Hospital (UCH) on September 8. Operations were performed on September 8 and 9 to remove the dead tissue. She is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in a serious condition.
The clinical diagnosis was right forearm NF. Her right forearm tissue culture yielded Vibrio vulnificus (VV) upon laboratory testing by UCH. VV is a type of bacteria which can cause NF.
The patient has no recent travel history. Her home contacts were asymptomatic. Investigations by the CHP are proceeding.
"NF is a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It can destroy tissue and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection," a spokesman for the CHP explained.
Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive measures:
* Avoid foot or leg contact with dirty water when visiting wet markets;
* 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 or other seafood.
Patients should promptly seek medical advice if relevant symptoms and signs of infection such as increasing redness, pain, swelling and pus develop.
The public may visit the CHP's page on VV infection (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/3780.html) for more information.
Ends/Thursday, September 11, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:33
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