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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received a report of laboratory confirmed Streptococcus suis infection from the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) today (January 17).
Case details are as follows:
Age: 69
Sex: Female
District of residence: Sha Tin
Date of Onset: January 11, 2006
Symptoms: fever, shoulder and foot pain
Present Condition: Has been admitted to PWH since January 13. Now in stable condition.
Travel history: No recent travel history outside Hong Kong.
Others: Her family members have no symptoms and are being put under medical surveillance by CHP.
This is the first reported case of Streptococcus suis infection in 2006 and CHP's investigations are continuing. A total of 13 cases were reported in 2005.
Streptococcus suis infection may present as meningitis (inflammation of the membrane enclosing the brain), septicaemia (blood stream infection), and less commonly endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers), arthritis and bronchopneumonia (a kind of lung infection involving the bronchioles). Streptococcus suis infection could be treated with appropriate antibiotics.
To prevent the disease, people are advised to always observe personal and environmental hygiene practices and avoid contact with pigs that are sick or dead from diseases, and their excreta or body fluid. If contact with pigs or raw pork is necessary, one should:
* Use protective gloves;
* Wash hands after handling pigs or raw pork; and
* Clean and cover all wounds properly.
People with suspected symptoms should consult their doctors as soon as possible and report their relevant exposure histories.
People can obtain more information on Streptococcus suis from the CHP website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) and the 24-hour Health Education Hotline at 2833 0111. They can also obtain latest information on infectious diseases in other places on the Department's Hong Kong Travellers' Health Service website (http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:11
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