CHP investigates case of limb weakness following HSI vaccination

18 Jan 2010

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 18) received report about a 67-year-old woman admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital who complained about limb weakness following human swine influenza (HSI) vaccination.

The patient was staying in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition.

CHP's investigation showed that the patient complained of generalized weakness on January 12. She developed fever, headache and vomiting on January 15 and was admitted to the hospital on the same day.

She received HSI vaccination on December 23, 2009.

"The patient has normal protein content in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the nerve conduction study was inconclusive. She has a high white blood cell count in her blood," the spokesman said.

"Further investigations are being conducted to determine whether she has sepsis, autonomic neuropathy, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) or other conditions."

It is noted that the previous 58-year-old GBS compatible patient in Queen Mary Hospital had no fever. His nerve conduction test showed prolonged distal motor latency in the foot muscles and his CSF showed high protein content. All of them are signs compatible with the early phase of GBS and other demyelinating diseases.

"At this point, a definitive diagnosis of GBS cannot be established for the 67-year-old woman. CHP will closely monitor the clinical progress and further laboratory results of this patient and convene an Expert Group meeting if further supportive evidence of GBS is available," the spokesman said.