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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged members of the public to be vigilant against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections caused by bacteria commonly transmitted through skin and wounds.
Speaking after a seminar on the prevention of the infections today (November 4), the Head of CHP's Infection Control Branch, Dr Raymond Yung, said many places, including Hong Kong, had observed occurrence of MRSA in the community, and not only confined to hospitals and institutions as in the past.
"In the past, MRSA infections commonly occurred in institutionalised people and hospitalised patients.
"However, in recent years, many countries observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other healthcare facilities or institutions, nor received medical procedures in the year prior to the onset of symptoms.
"These are known as community associated- MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections and usually have different patterns of antibiotic resistance," Dr Yung said.
Dr Yung said CA-MRSA strains are more infectious than the hospital-associated MRSA strains and CA-MRSA are mainly transmitted through direct contact with wounds, discharge and soiled areas, usually via hands, which may then contaminate other areas of the body, items or surfaces.
Symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling, skin tenderness or pus drainage. And sometimes more serious effects such as purulent wound infections and severe pneumonia may occur, requiring hospitalisation and special antibiotics for treatment.
Dr Yung reminded members of the public to take preventive measures especially when they had skin wounds. "You should clean any broken skin such as abrasions or cuts immediately and cover properly with waterproof adhesive bandages. Wash hands before and after touching wounds.
"If you have an open wound, you should avoid contact sports and visiting public bath houses. You should also avoid sharing personal items such as unlaundered towels, clothing or uniforms and razors."
Dr Yung said that improper use of antibiotics may cause the emergence of these bacteria, patients are strongly advised not take antibiotics indiscriminately to prevent antibiotic resistance.
"Antibiotics should be prescribed by registered medical practitioners and the patient should complete the whole course of treatment according to the prescribed dosage and frequency," he added.
Today's seminar was jointly organised by the Infection Control Branch of CHP and Infectious Disease Control Training Centre of the Hospital Authority.
It was attended by a total of more than 270 infection control practitioners, staff working in Accident and Emergency, Family Medicine and Paediatrics Departments in public and private hospitals, and general practitioners.
Speaking at the seminar were Professor KY Yuen and Dr PL Ho of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, who spoke on "Why should we be serious with CA-MRSA" and "Clinical Management of CA-MRSA" respectively.
Other speakers included CHP's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Thomas Tsang, who talked about management of contacts and Consultant Medical Microbiologist, Dr Janice Lo, who elaborated on laboratory diagnosis of CA-MRSA.
Ends/Saturday, November 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:24
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