Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
Fatal case of community-associated MRSA
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a fatal case of invasive community-associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection involving a 35-year-old man.
The patient, with good past health, lived in Sha Tin District. He was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on March 10 for multiple joint pain and fever. He was diagnosed as having necrotising faciitis and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and had left forearm amputation performed on March 11. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on March 12.
The blood specimen taken from the patient grew CA-MRSA.
He had no recent travel history. His household contact was asymptomatic.
The CHP's investigation is 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 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.
For further information on CA-MRSA, please visit the CHP website, www.chp.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, March 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:48
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- ------The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a fatal case of invasive community-associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection involving a 35-year-old man.
The patient, with good past health, lived in Sha Tin District. He was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on March 10 for multiple joint pain and fever. He was diagnosed as having necrotising faciitis and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and had left forearm amputation performed on March 11. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on March 12.
The blood specimen taken from the patient grew CA-MRSA.
He had no recent travel history. His household contact was asymptomatic.
The CHP's investigation is 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 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.
For further information on CA-MRSA, please visit the CHP website, www.chp.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, March 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:48
NNNN