The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 24) said that no new confirmed melioidosis infection cases had been recorded as at 5pm today. The CHP will continue to strengthen its surveillance work in view of the melioidosis cases in recent months. Members of the public should maintain personal and environmental hygiene at all times and seek medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms.
 
     According to the test results of the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, genetic sequences of the Burkholderia pseudomallei isolated in eight cases residing in Sham Shui Po recorded this year are similar to that of three cases recorded in 2021. However, as no positive bacterial culture has been yielded from environmental samples such as soil so far, comparison of genetic sequence between the environmental isolate and the human isolate cannot be performed. Therefore, the CHP cannot conclude yet if the cases are infected by the same environmental source. Environmental investigation is ongoing to identify their source of infection.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but may occur through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Melioidosis bacteria can survive in the local environment and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. According to literature, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei of melioidosis in the soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria would spread easier with strong wind or storms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.
 
     For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

Ends/Monday, October 24, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:02

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