The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 8) investigating two suspected cases of rhabdomyolysis after consumption of crayfish and hence reminds members of the public shall not overindulge in crayfish and should seek medical attention immediately if feels unwell after consumption.
 
      The first case involved a female patient aged 30, who developed symptoms of severe muscle pain over back, chest, shoulder and thigh about five hours after consuming cooked crayfish for dinner at home on September 4. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of the Prince of Wales Hospital and admitted for management on September 5. The clinical diagnosis was rhabdomyolysis and she is currently in stable condition. The patient was discharged today.
 
      Initial enquires by the CHP revealed that the patient bought the cooked crayfish from a restaurant in Shenzhen on September 4. Her two family members also consumed the meal but were asymptomatic.
 
      The other case involved a 55-year-old woman with good past health. She developed severe muscle pain over shoulder, arms and legs about four hours after consumption of cooked crayfish in a restaurant in Shenzhen alone on August 20. She was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on August 21 and her clinical diagnosis was rhabdomyolysis. Her condition remained stable and was discharged on August 22.
 
      A spokesman for the CHP explained that rhabdomyolysis is a condition with muscle breakdown, which may result in kidney damage and other complications. Since 1924, the condition has been linked to consumption of freshwater fish and crayfish in Northern Europe, United States, Amazonian Brazil and China, as both sporadic cases or in clusters. An unknown heat-stable toxin that accumulated in the implicated food is a possible cause.
 
    When consuming crayfish, the spokesman advises:
 
* Clean crayfish before cooking and cook thoroughly;
 
* Purchase fresh crayfish from reputable and reliable suppliers. Members of the public should not buy crayfish from unknown source or catch wild crayfish for consumption;
 
* One shall not overindulge in crayfish and do not consume head and internal organs of crayfish; and
 
* If having generalised or localised muscle pain after eating crayfish, the public should seek medical treatment immediately and tell the doctor about their food history.

Ends/Thursday, September 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:30

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