15 Jul 2008
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 15) followed up a human case of myiasis involving a 89-year-old woman and urged members of the public to take measures to guard against the disease caused by maggots of flies.
The patient, living in an elderly home in Chai Wan, was sent to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for management of her left ear bleeding on July 13 and was found to have maggots in the ear. She was discharged today.
CHP's investigations revealed that she had no record of recent travel history.
This is the sixth case of human myiasis this year. Fourteen cases were reported in 2007, 15 cases in 2006 and six cases in 2005.
Human myiasis cases are caused by parasitic maggots of flies which infest the superficial wounds and body orifices such as mouth, ear and nose of debilitated persons with larvae.
The larvae feed on the host's dead or living tissue, and may cause serious tissue damage, resulting in loss of function, injury to the skin, secondary invasion and death.
People, especially staff of elderly homes, are advised to take note of the following measures:
* All wounds should be treated immediately. Wound fluids and blood are known to be attractive to some species of flies. To avoid myiasis infestation, wounds should be cleaned and dressed properly;
* Fly infestation could be avoided by proofing measures, including installation of fly screening materials to human dwelling places, dressing of wounds and maintaining good ventilation;
* Observe good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Staff of elderly homes should ensure good environmental hygiene, be alert to inmates developing symptoms of the disease and arrange for inmates feeling unwell to seek medical consultation promptly.