Press Release

Case of necrotising fasciitis under CHP investigation

27 August 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 27) investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving a 78-year-old man.

The patient, with underlying illnesses, has presented with fever and right leg pain since August 22. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH) the following day (August 23) and was clinically diagnosed as having necrotising fasciitis. He was subsequently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and is currently in a serious condition.

Both the patient's right leg wound and blood specimens yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis, upon laboratory testing by AHNH.

The patient has no recent travel history and his family contacts have so far remained 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.

The public may visit the CHP's website (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/3780.html) for more information on Vibrio vulnificus infections.