The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 30) said that one new confirmed melioidosis infection case had been recorded in the past week (June 24 to 30). 

     The case involves a 53-year-old female who has underlying illnesses including diabetes, kidney and liver chronic diseases. She lives in Sham Shui Po. The patient has presented with fever and back pain since June 25. She developed diarrhoea the following day and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital and was admitted on the same day. She has been in stable condition. Her blood sample was confirmed positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing. 

     Epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing. A total of seven melioidosis infection cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far this year. In 2022, 46 melioidosis infection cases were recorded.
   
     A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but melioidosis bacteria can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. According to literature, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei of melioidosis in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or storms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

     The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromised conditions, in order to receive appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

Ends/Friday, June 30, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:00

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