Press Release

Case of necrotising fasciitis under CHP investigation

25 April 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 25) investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving a 75-year-old man.

The patient, with multiple chronic illnesses, sustained injury to his left hand and developed chills as well as rigor on April 22. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital the following day (April 23).

The clinical diagnosis was necrotising fasciitis and he is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in a critical condition.

His left hand tissue yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.

Preliminary investigation by the CHP revealed that the patient's left hand was pricked by a fish in a wet market on April 22.

His family contacts remain asymptomatic. Investigations by the CHP are proceeding.

A CHP spokesman explained that necrotising fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It can destroy tissue and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection.

Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive measures:

• Avoid foot or leg contact with dirty water when visiting wet markets;
• Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to seawater or salty water;
• Wounds should be thoroughly cleaned and properly covered; and
• Wear thick rubber gloves when handling raw shellfish.

Patients should seek medical advice promptly if symptoms and signs of infection, such as increasing redness, pain and swelling, develop.