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The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 10) confirmed a case of New Delhi metallo-£]-lactamase-5 (NDM-5) Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
The male patient, aged 70, was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on October 24 for his underlying illness. He was in a stable condition.
His rectal swab grew NDM-5 Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae upon laboratory testing by the PHLSB.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had travelled to Zhuhai between October 1 and 2. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic.
The CHP's investigations are proceeding.
"NDM is an enzyme which can deactivate carbapenems and other beta-lactams such as penicillins. Bacteria harbouring this NDM gene are commonly resistant to multiple antimicrobials, limiting therapeutic options and rendering severe clinical infections difficult to treat. Most bacteria with the NDM enzyme remain susceptible to two types of antibiotics, colistin and tigecycline," a spokesman for the CHP said.
Infections have varied from being asymptomatic to being potentially life-threatening or fatal. The level of risk depends on which part of the body is affected by the infection and the general health of the patient.
The spokesman said that proper use of antibiotics and personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene, are important for the prevention of emergence and cross-transmission of NDM strains.
Ends/Monday, November 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:10
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