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Press Release

CHP investigates fatal case of Streptococcus suis infection

28 October 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 28) investigating a fatal case of infection by Streptococcus suis, a kind of bacteria isolated from pigs.

The female patient, aged 92 and with underlying illnesses, presented with muscle pain, vomiting and decrease in hearing since October 20. She was directly admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on October 22 for further management and died the same day.

Her blood culture grew Streptococcus suis upon laboratory testing by Princess Margaret Hospital.

Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had a history of handling raw pork during the incubation period. She had no recent travel history and her home contact has remained asymptomatic.

The case has been referred to the Coroner's Court.

A spokesman for the CHP explained that Streptococcus suis infection may present as meningitis (inflammation of the membrane enclosing the brain), septicaemia (bloodstream infection), and less commonly endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers), arthritis and bronchopneumonia (a kind of lung infection involving the bronchioles). Streptococcus suis infection can be treated with appropriate antibiotics.

To prevent Streptococcus suis infection, members of the public are advised to always practise personal and environmental hygiene. They should avoid contact with pigs that are sick or dead from disease and their excreta or body fluid. If contact with pigs or raw pork is necessary, one should:

  • Use protective gloves;
  • Wash hands after handling pigs or raw pork; and
  • Clean and cover all wounds properly.

Members of the public who suspect they may be infected should consult their doctors as soon as possible and report their relevant exposure histories.

They may visit the CHP's website ( www.chp.gov.hk ) for more information on Streptococcus suis.

28 Oct 2014