A case of Streptococcus suis infection reported
*********************************************** The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 23) received a report from United Christian Hospital of a laboratory confirmed Streptococcus suis infection. This brings the number of Streptococcus suis infection cases reported to CHP in 2005 to 11.
Case details are as follows:
Age: 62
Sex: Female
District of residence: Lam Tin
Date of Onset: August 18
Symptoms: Fever, chills, rigor, left knee and calf pain
Present Condition: Had been admitted to UCH on August 19 for treatment. She is now clinically stable.
Travel history: No recent travel history outside Hong Kong.
Others: Home contact is asymptomatic.
Staff of CHP continue to liaise with the patient, her family and hospital staff for further information.
Genetic characterisation of first nine cases in 2005 conducted so far showed different bacterial strains. This suggests the previous cases are sporadic and there was no link between them. Results of the recent two cases are pending. Preliminary investigation showed that there was no epidemiological link between the recent two cases.
Streptococcus suis infection may present as meningitis, septicaemia, and less commonly endocarditis, arthritis and bronchopneumonia. Streptococcus suis infection can be treated with appropriate antibiotics.
To prevent the disease, people are advised to always observe personal and environmental hygiene practices and avoid contact with pigs that are sick or dead from diseases and their excreta or body fluid. If contact with pigs or raw pork is necessary, one should:
* Use protective gloves;
* Wash hands after handling pigs or raw pork; and
* Clean and cover all wounds properly.
People with suspected symptoms should consult their doctors as soon as possible and report their relevant exposure histories.
People can obtain more information on Streptococcus suis from the CHP website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) and the 24-hour Health Education Hotline at 2833 0111. They can also obtain latest information on infectious diseases in other places on the Department's Hong Kong Travellers' Health Service website (http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk).
*********************************************** The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 23) received a report from United Christian Hospital of a laboratory confirmed Streptococcus suis infection. This brings the number of Streptococcus suis infection cases reported to CHP in 2005 to 11.
Case details are as follows:
Age: 62
Sex: Female
District of residence: Lam Tin
Date of Onset: August 18
Symptoms: Fever, chills, rigor, left knee and calf pain
Present Condition: Had been admitted to UCH on August 19 for treatment. She is now clinically stable.
Travel history: No recent travel history outside Hong Kong.
Others: Home contact is asymptomatic.
Staff of CHP continue to liaise with the patient, her family and hospital staff for further information.
Genetic characterisation of first nine cases in 2005 conducted so far showed different bacterial strains. This suggests the previous cases are sporadic and there was no link between them. Results of the recent two cases are pending. Preliminary investigation showed that there was no epidemiological link between the recent two cases.
Streptococcus suis infection may present as meningitis, septicaemia, and less commonly endocarditis, arthritis and bronchopneumonia. Streptococcus suis infection can be treated with appropriate antibiotics.
To prevent the disease, people are advised to always observe personal and environmental hygiene practices and avoid contact with pigs that are sick or dead from diseases and their excreta or body fluid. If contact with pigs or raw pork is necessary, one should:
* Use protective gloves;
* Wash hands after handling pigs or raw pork; and
* Clean and cover all wounds properly.
People with suspected symptoms should consult their doctors as soon as possible and report their relevant exposure histories.
People can obtain more information on Streptococcus suis from the CHP website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) and the 24-hour Health Education Hotline at 2833 0111. They can also obtain latest information on infectious diseases in other places on the Department's Hong Kong Travellers' Health Service website (http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:53
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