14 November 2014
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 14) investigating a cluster of two cases of Community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) infection affecting two men who lived in the same residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Wong Tai Sin, and hence appealed to members of the public to stay vigilant against CA-MRSA.
The first patient is an 88-year-old man with underlying illnesses. He presented with skin abscess over the right arm, right axilla and abdomen on September 21. He was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on September 25. He has been in stable condition all along and was discharged on September 26.
His pus specimen yielded CA-MRSA upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB).
The second patient is a 78-year-old man with underlying illnesses. He presented with facial skin abscess on November 1 and was admitted to QEH the same day. He has been in stable condition all along and was discharged on November 2.
His abscess swab yielded CA-MRSA upon laboratory testing by the PHLSB.
Officers of the CHP conducted a site visit to the RCHE and provided screening and decolonisation to the residents and staff. Investigations are ongoing.
MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide.
In recent years, many countries have observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other health-care facilities or institutions, nor received medical procedures in the year before the onset of symptoms. The cases are known as CA-MRSA infections and usually have special patterns of antibiotic resistance.
It is widely recognised that indiscriminate use of antibiotics may contribute to antibiotics resistance, a CHP spokesman said.
People are advised not to use antibiotics without professional medical advice. If they are advised by doctors to take antibiotics, they should take the medicine according to the prescribed frequency and dosage. People should observe good personal hygiene including washing hands with liquid soap frequently.
The public may visit the CHP's CA-MRSA page ( www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/5392.html ) for further information and preventive advice.