24 Jun 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 24) received report of a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving an 86-year-old man.
The man, living in Mong Kok, presented with fever, chills, right calf pain and redness on June 14 and was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital the next day.
Surgeries were performed on June 15 and 17 to remove the dead tissue. He is currently staying at the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition.
His blood culture grew Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
The patient has no recent travel history and he did not recall any recent injury. His home contact is asymptomatic.
A CHP spokesman said necrotising fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It can destroy tissues and can 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 cleaned and properly covered;
* Wear thick rubber gloves when handling raw shellfish.
Patients should seek medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms and signs of infection like increasing redness, pain and swelling.