8 July 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 8) received a report of a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving an 80-year-old man.
The patient, living in Tuen Mun, sustained injuries to his left forearm on July 3. He continued his daily habit of swimming in the beach. He then developed fever, poor appetite, pain, redness and swelling in the left forearm on July 5. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on July 6. Operations were performed to remove the dead tissues. He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in serious condition.
Laboratory tests on the tissues from his left forearm yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
The patient has no recent travel history. His home contacts are asymptomatic.
A CHP spokesman said necrotising fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of 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.