Fatal case of community acquired MRSA

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 13) confirmed a fatal case of community associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA)infection - a drug resistant bacterium - involving a 30-year-old woman.

The woman was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on November 27, 2006 due to right facial painful swelling. She died on November 29. Laboratory tests on her blood culture yielded positive result to MRSA. Further tests indicated that the bacteria have genes characteristic of CA-MRSA.

Preliminary information indicates that the woman had no definite history of hospitalization or travel history in the past 12 months. The CHP has initiated investigations on her contact history. Her family members have been put under medical surveillance.

MRSA is a type of staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide and is usually associated with hospital settings.

It may also found in the community in patients who had previously been hospitalized. In recent years, many countries had observed community-associated MRSA in patients who have not been hospitalized. Fatal cases of CA-MRSA have also been reported in other countries. CA-MRSA cases also occurred in Hong Kong in recent years. So far, there were 23 cases of CA-MRSA reported to CHP in 2006.

It is widely recognized that indiscriminate use of antibiotics may contribute to antibiotics resistance.

The DH has implemented an Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Programme since July 1990 to monitor the trends of antibiotic resistance in bacteria that are commonly found in the community setting of Hong Kong.

Members of the public are advised not to use antibiotics without medical professional advice. If they are advised by doctors to take antibiotics, they should take the medicine according to the prescribed frequency and dosage and complete the whole course.

The risk of transmission can be minimized by maintaining good personal hygiene including washing their hands with soap frequently and to wear gloves in touching grossly soiled items.

Ends/Wednesday, December 13, 2006