11 Jun 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 11) 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 an eight-year-old girl living in Sha Tin.
The girl presented with fever and cough on May 20 and was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on May 27 for treatment. She was diagnosed to have pneumonia. She recovered and was discharged on June 2.
Her sputum was positive for CA-MRSA.
The CHP's investigation showed that the girl had no recent travel history and her household contacts did not show any 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 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 antibiotics resistance, a CHP spokesman said.
People are advised not to use antibiotics without medical professional 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 .