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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 17) called on the public to be vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug resistant bacterium.
The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving a 29-year-old woman living in Southern district.
The woman with good past health presented with fever and abscesses on the buttock on May 18 and was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on May 25. She was transferred to Tung Wah Hospital on June 2 for further treatment.
She is currently in stable condition.
A blood specimen from the patient yielded positive result for CA-MRSA. Her home contacts had no symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.
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 observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other healthcare 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 was widely recognised that indiscriminate use of antibiotics may contribute to resistance to antibiotics, a CHP spokesman said.
People are advised not to use antibiotics without professional medical 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/Thursday, June 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:42
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