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In response to media enquiries, a spokesperson for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (December 16) that CHP is investigating a case of invasive pneumococcal infection involving a two-year-old girl. This kind of infection is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The patient presented with running nose on November 29 and fever on December 2, and consulted general practitioner on December 3, 4 and 6 respectively. She was admitted to Union Hospital on December 7 and transferred to United Christian Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in the same afternoon, when she was found to have signs of pneumonia and sepsis. Her condition improved on antibiotic treatment. She was transferred to Baptist Hospital on December 15. The patient is now in general ward and in stable condition.
Laboratory tests on her blood culture yielded positive result to Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotype 3). Her nasopharyngeal aspirate was also tested positive for parainfluenza virus. Further laboratory tests including typing studies will be carried out.
The organism in this patient is sensitive to standard antibiotics used to treat invasive pneumococcal infection, including penicillin, cefotaxime and vancomycin.
The girl attends a nursery in Tai Po and there has been no abnormal increase in respiratory infections recently among students attending this nursery. According to preliminary information, the child received one dose of PCV7 at the age of 14 months.
Her family contacts are currently asymptomatic.
The spokesperson added, ¡®laboratory analysis of the three earlier cases of serotype 3 pneumococcus bacteria in November and December 2010 showed that they were of different genetic makeup. Hence, the 3 cases did not constitute an outbreak from the same clone of organism.¡¯
Invasive pneumococcal disease is more common in winter. In the past few years, more isolates were recorded from November to March. Therefore, according to historical pattern, more cases of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by various serotypes are expected to occur in the coming few months.
Serotype 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of over 90 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae that cause invasive pneumoccocal infection in Hong Kong. It is not an uncommon serotype circulating in the community. According to laboratory surveillance on invasive pneumococcal diseases, approximately 21 to 27 isolates of serotype 3 are obtained each year in previous three years. This year, a total of 31 isolates so far were recorded.
CHP's investigation continues.
The spokesperson said that the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy people, particularly in children. They mainly spread from one person to another through coughing, sneezing or direct close contact. They can also spread via contact with materials soiled with sputum or nasal discharges of the infected.
To prevent pneumococcal infection, members of the public are advised to:
* keep hands clean and wash them properly. Alcohol-based handrub is also effective when hands are not visibly soiled;
* wash hands with liquid soap promptly when they are soiled by nasal discharges or sputum, e.g. after sneezing or coughing;
* cover nose and mouth with tissue paper while sneezing or coughing;
* always wrap nasal and mouth discharges with tissue paper. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
* wear mask when there are symptoms of respiratory tract infection;
* not to share utensils and washing them thoroughly after use;
* maintain good ventilation in indoor areas; and
* avoid attending crowded and poorly ventilated public places if feeling unwell.
Members of the public can visit the CHP's website, www.chp.gov.hk, for general information about the infection.
Ends/Thursday, December 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:56
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