19 Nov 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of leptospirosis, a disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira, involving a 55-year-old woman.
A CHP spokesman said the patient had presented with fever, general malaise, myalgia and skin rash since October 28. She attended a general practitioner on October 31 and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on November 1. The patient had recovered and was discharged on November 5.
Serology tests confirmed that she had leptospirosis.
The woman, who lived in Yuen Long, had no travel history. However, the patient had history of handling soil with bare hands. Her home contacts were asymptomatic.
Investigation is ongoing.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria leptospira which can be found in some animals including rodents, cattle, pigs, horses and dogs.
Most human infections occur through contact with urine excreted by infected mammals primarily through skin abrasions, open wounds or mucous membranes, and occasionally through ingestion or inhalation.
The disease is normally not transmissible among humans. The incubation period is usually between four and 19 days.
The spokesman said people infected with leptospirosis commonly presented with a flu-like illness with high fever, headache, muscle pain, red eye, sore throat and rash. In some cases, the disease can cause anaemia and affect the liver, kidneys, lungs and other internal organs. The disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
The risk of infection can be minimised by covering open wounds properly and avoiding contact with urine of live mammals and objects contaminated by them, as well as polluted water, the spokesman said.