Hong Kong, Three cases of septic shock under investigation (October 4 2012)

[Giuseppe]

[Source: Department of Health, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Three cases of septic shock under investigation


The Department of Health (DH) today (October 4) received report from Ruttonjee Hospital (RH) of two cases of septic shock suspected to be related to procedures received by two women yesterday afternoon at a beauty treatment centre called "DR" in Causeway Bay.

The two patients are currently receiving intensive care in RH in critical condition.

The first case involved a 56-year-old woman with underlying illness. She developed fever, chest discomfort and headache shortly after receiving treatment in the centre in the afternoon of October 3. She stayed in the centre for a few hours and went home. She then developed diarrhoea, vomiting and numbness of both feet at night. She was admitted to RH today and is diagnosed to have septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulapathy and is now under intensive care in critical condition.

The second case involved a 46-year-old woman with good past health. She developed fever and diarrhoea in the evening of October 3 after receiving treatment in the centre in the afternoon. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of RH today and is diagnosed to have septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulapathy and her condition is also critical.

Both had received some intravascular infusions at the centre in the afternoon of October 3.

Investigation revealed a third case with septic shock who also received treatment at the beauty treatment centre yesterday afternoon. She is a 60-year-old woman who developed chills, headache, bone pain and dizziness while receiving treatment and was admitted today to a private hospital with fever. She was diagnosed to have septic shock and her current condition is critical.

The three cases are now under joint investigation by the DH and the Police. DH has instructed the concerned beauty treatment centre to suspend the said procedure.

A DH spokesman urged members of the public who developed fever after receiving similar treatment with intravenous infusions should seek medical advice immediately.


Ends/Thursday, October 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 23:02
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, Three cases of septic shock under investigation (October 4 2012)

[Source: Department of Health, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Update on investigation of septic shock cases


A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (October 5) gave an update on the investigation of septic shock cases suspected to be related to procedures received in a beauty treatment centre called DR.

The spokesman said that investigation so far revealed that a total of 44 persons, including the three currently hospitalised, have received the "DC - CIK" treatment in DR.

"This treatment involves concentration and processing of blood taken from the person, and subsequent infusion of the mixture back into the patient. According to the investigation, the treatment was provided by registered medical practitioner," he explained.

Other than the three hospitalised patients who remain in critical condition, the DH has so far contacted 35 out of the remaining 41 persons who had received the treatment. The DH is still contacting the other six persons.

Investigation revealed that a 59-year-old woman who received the said therapy on September 29 also developed chills, headache, malaise, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, chest discomfort, difficulty in breathing and back pain after receiving treatment. Her symptoms persisted and she was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital early this morning. Her clinical diagnosis was sepsis and her condition is stable.

The 60-year-old woman, who was staying in a private hospital, was transferred to the United Christian Hospital last night for further treatment.

A joint visit to the laboratory which processed the blood mixture was conducted by the DH, the Government Laboratory and the Police today to collect samples for further analysis.

Joint investigation with the Police is under way.

The spokesman again urged members of the public who feel unwell or suffer from adverse effects after receiving the said therapy provided by DR or other similar treatments to seek medical advice immediately. The spokesman also appealed to clients of DR who had received the said therapy to call the department's hotline (2125 1133) to provide further information. The hotline will start operating from tonight till 10pm and then daily from 9am to 5pm.


Ends/Friday, October 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:53
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, Three cases of septic shock under investigation (October 4 2012)

[Source: Department of Health, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Latest update on investigation of septic shock and sepsis cases


A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (October 7) provided the latest update on the investigation of septic shock and sepsis cases suspected to be related to procedures received in a beauty treatment centre called DR.

The spokesman said that the blood sample taken from the 46-year-old woman who was admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital (RH) grew Mycobacterium abscessus.

Preliminary blood culture from another 56-year-old woman admitted to RH and the 60-year-old woman admitted to United Christian Hospital also grew presumptive Mycobacterium species.

Further identification and testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch under the Centre for Health Protection of DH are still pending.

Other than the 46-year-old woman and the 60-year-old woman who remain in critical condition, the 56-year-old woman is now in serious condition while another 59-year-old woman admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital is in stable condition.

Since DH's hotline (2125 1133) was set up in the evening of October 5, 25 calls were received as of 5pm today. Twelve callers said that they were clients of DR. So far, there are no new cases of septic shock or sepsis suspected to be related to procedures received in the beauty treatment centre.

Joint investigation with the Police is under way.


Ends/Sunday, October 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:05
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, Three cases of septic shock under investigation (October 4 2012)

[Source: Government of Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

SFH on septic shock cases


Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function this afternoon (October 7):

Secretary for Food and Health:

We are very concerned (over the incident), and I am actually shocked to learn about the fact that there are four patients who suffered severe illness after receiving their own blood product, which had been processed in the laboratory. The Department of Health and the Police are currently conducting a very serious investigation into the matter. Preliminary investigation shows that the blood of one of the patients in the hospitals grew a bacteria called Mycobacterium abscessus. This is helpful although it remains to be confirmed by the Department of Health. It is helpful for the clinical experts to help, trying their best to save these patients. Further investigation would focus on where and how these blood products were being contaminated, and also, the possible relationship between the beauty parlour, the medical practitioner and the laboratory. I would not rule out the possibility of the requirement for further legislation or amendments to existing legislation to protect our citizens from risky medical procedures.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)


Ends/Sunday, October 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:08
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