21 August 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving a 68-year-old woman with underlying chronic diseases.
The woman, living in Tuen Mun, injured her left index finger when handling a fish at home on August 18. She developed fever and pain over left hand and right leg on August 19 and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day. She later developed septic shock after admission.
Operations were performed on August 20 to remove the dead tissues. She is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition.
Laboratory tests on her blood yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
Her home contact was asymptomatic.
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 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 such as increasing redness, pain and swelling.