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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (August 1) urged people to take preventive measures against brucellosis infection, an infectious disease caused by bacteria in infected animals and contaminated animal products.
The appeal made after the confirmation of two such cases involving a 56-year-old man and his 54-year-old wife living in Tsuen Wan.
The man developed fever, headache, malaise and urinary symptoms since early May this year. He was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital twice between May 31 and June 15 and is now in stable condition.
His wife developed similar symptoms since June 30 and was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital on July 13. She was discharged on July 18 and is now in stable condition.
CHP's investigations revealed that the couple had travelled to Guangzhou on the Mainland for two days in April. Their family members did not have any symptoms of brucellosis.
Further investigation is on-going.
A spokesman for CHP said brucellosis was an infectious disease caused by the bacteria of the genus Brucella. It is primarily a disease of animals like cattle, swine and sheep, but may also affect humans. Humans usually get the disease by ingesting or directly contacting infected animals or their products that are contaminated with the bacteria.
People infected with the Brucella bacteria usually develop symptoms similar to a severe influenza which may include fever, chills, drenching sweats, headache, back pain, physical weakness and loss of weight and appetite.
Direct person-to-person spread of brucellosis is extremely rare. The incubation period of the disease varies from days to months.
As of today, there have been two cases of brucellosis reported in 2007. Three cases were reported in 2006 and one in 2005.
To prevent the infection, people are urged to:
* Observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene;
* Don’t consume unpasteurized milk, cheese or ice cream;
* Wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water immediately after having contacts with animals or their excreta;
* Use rubber gloves when handling internal organs of animals and then wash hands thoroughly immediately.
Ends/Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:56
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