A case of Streptococcus suis infection reported locally
28 July 2005
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received a report of a case of Streptococcus suis infection. This added up to a total of 10 Streptococcus suis infection cases since May 2004.
Case details are as follows:
Age: 26
Sex: Male
District of residence: Tin Shui Wai
Date of Onset: July 5
Symptoms: Fever, left ankle pain and right hip pain
Present Condition: Recovered. Admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on July 5 and was discharged on July 12.
Travel history: No recent travel history.
Others: The patient did not visit local farms or have recent history of contact with pigs. Home contacts did not have any symptoms.
The disease may present as meningitis, septicaemia, and less commonly endocarditis, arthritis and bronchopneumonia. Streptococcus suis infection could be treated with appropriate antibiotics.
To prevent Streptococcus suis infection, the public 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.
Members of the public can obtain more information on Streptococcus suis from the CHP website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or latest information on infectious diseases in other places on the Department's Hong Kong Travellers' Health Service website (http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, July 28, 2005
