2005-06-03
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 3) reminded members of the public to take health precautionary measures while taking part in outdoor activities at the countryside.
The appeal followed the detection of a bacterium, C violaceum, in the water samples collected in a pond at the campsite in Tuen Mun and in a water catchment near the campsite during site investigation by the CHP on a human case of the disease in a 40-year-old trainer who stayed at the campsite on May 21 and 22.
The man was hospitalized in Prince of Wales Hospital on May 25 and found to have an abscess on his right arm. A bacterium, Chromobacterium violaceum, was found in the abscess and blood of the patient. He died on May 26.
Other people who stayed at the campsite with the man did not have signs of infection.
To investigate potential sources of infection, CHP medical staff also visited the patient’s home and collected environmental samples. Laboratory testing of these samples is in progress.
Dr Thomas Tsang, Consultant (Community Medicine) of the CHP, said the finding of C violaceum from the water samples collected in the campsite is consistent with literature reports of its natural presence in water and soil of the natural environment.
"Although C violaceum is in existence in the natural environment, cases of human infection are rare worldwide and the bacterium usually gains entry into the body through wounds on the skin," Dr Tsang said.
He pointed out that apart from C violaceum, a host of other pathogenic micro-organisms, including tetanus, mycobacteria and certain fungi, can be naturally present in soil and fresh water.
"To prevent infections from these kinds of bacteria," Dr Tsang said, "The best preventive measure is to give proper and early attention to wound care and seek medical attention promptly if signs of wound infection are recognized."
Dr Tsang advises the public to take the following precautions while doing outings in the countryside:
- Cover all wounds properly and avoid contacting wounds with soil and untreated surface waters;
- Consult a doctor early if there are signs of fever and wounds infection (e.g. redness, swelling, heat);
- Receive anti-tetanus vaccines as appropriate;
- Do not walk barefoot in watery rice paddies, or muddy land, do not swim in polluted waters and do not wash face with stream or pond water;
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover the arms, legs and particularly the ankles and apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
End/Friday, June 3, 2005