CHP announces three new confirmed melioidosis infection cases over past week
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The first case involves a 62-year-old male with multiple underlying illnesses including diabetes and coronary heart disease, who is also receiving dialysis for end-stage renal failure. He developed fever and a cough since September 2 and was admitted to the Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) after attending the Accident and Emergency Department (A&ED) of the hospital the next day. He was later discharged after his condition stabilised. He was hospitalised again on December 5 due to a persistent fever and was discharged on December 10. On December 15, he attended the A&ED of the CMC again, due to fever and abdominal pain, and was admitted. He is still hospitalised and his current condition is stable. His peritoneal dialysis specimen was confirmed positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.
The second case involves an 80-year-old male with multiple underlying illnesses including impaired fasting glucose and hypertension. He developed chest pain since October 15 and attended the A&ED of the CMC on November 15, and the clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. Later, his chest pain worsened and fever developed, so he attended the A&ED of the CMC again on December 9 and was admitted. His condition has been stable all along and he was discharged on December 16. His sputum specimen was confirmed positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.
The third case involves an 82-year-old male with multiple underlying illnesses including diabetes and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. He developed shortness of breath since November 10 and attended a general out-patient clinic on December 5 due to a persistent cough. On December 8, his shortness of breath worsened so he attended the A&ED of the CMC and was admitted. His condition has been stable all along and he was discharged on December 16. His sputum specimen was confirmed positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.
A total of 46 melioidosis infection cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far this year, among which 30 cases living in Sham Shui Po were recorded since August.
The Government has earlier gazetted to include melioidosis as a statutorily notifiable infectious disease under Schedule 1 to the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599). The CHP will continue to work closely with the Hospital Authority to enhance surveillance against melioidosis cases.
A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but melioidosis bacteria can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong 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 soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or storms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.
The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromised conditions, in order to receive appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.
Ends/Friday, December 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:00
Issued at HKT 12:00
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