Press Release

Case of necrotising fasciitis under CHP investigation

10 June 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 10) investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving a 47-year-old woman.

The patient, with good past health, presented with right calf swelling on June 3. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on June 4 and was transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital the next day.

The clinical diagnosis was necrotising fasciitis. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on June 5 and then to general ward on June 7 for further management. Her current condition is stable.

Her right calf tissue yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.

Preliminary investigation by the CHP revealed that the patient was pricked by a fish on June 3.

Her 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.