10 Aug 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 10) received a report of a necrotising fasciitis case (flesh-eating disease) involving a 59-year-old man.
The patient lived in Fanling. He presented with fever, chills, shortness of breath and left arm swelling since July 19 and was admitted to North District Hospital on July 28. The infection extended to other parts of the body. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate and he passed away on August 6.
Laboratory tests on the affected tissues yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
A CHP spokesman said necrotising fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It could destroy tissue and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection.
People are reminded to adopt the following preventive measures:
* Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to seawater or salty water;
* Wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and properly covered;
* Wear thick rubber gloves when handling raw shellfish.
Patients should seek medical advice promptly if they developed symptoms and signs of infection like increasing redness, pain and swelling.