FLESH-EATING BACTERIA
Microbiologist sounds flesh-eating bacteria alarm, 18sep98
A HONG KONG doctor has warned of a steady rise worldwide of a rare
sea-borne, flesh-eating disease that can kill up to half its victims.
Although there has been no sign of an outbreak, doctors have found a
steady rise globally of a sickness called necrotising fasciitis, an
infection by a rare bacteria that thrives in warm seawater, Dr Ho
Pak-leung, associate professor of microbiology at the University of Hong
Kong, said yesterday.
The disease is most commonly transmitted through open wounds contaminated
by sea water, and not from human contact, Ho told a news conference.
Ho added that a mutant strain of the bacteria, which can enter the body
through throat infections, has no vaccine.
Ho said the global rise in the disease is probably caused by the El Nino
weather phenomenon, which is warming up the ocean. The bacteria causes
skin to die and melt away within hours and can produce toxins that can
kill by leading to multiple organ failure.
"If surgery is not given within 24 hours the patient can die," Ho said.
A 29-year old Hong Kong man identified only as Ng showed reporters his
upper leg with the outer skin scraped off, exposing muscles covered with
reconstructed skin taken from other parts of his body.
Early symptoms include skin redness, high fever and sharp pains that
could be incorrectly diagnosed as common skin infections, Ho said.
The elderly, diabetics and those with liver ailments are more
susceptible,
he said.
The first case in Hong Kong was recorded five years ago, and so far only
two cases have been found this year, he said. One died, the other
survived.
He warned against eating uncooked seafood, especially raw oysters, which
could carry a large amount of bacteria.
Sidekick:
Wah lah la.....no more my favourite yammy oyster. Eat what? OK turn
vegetarian and save the species. Do good deeds
and kill not, eat not living things. Ah what about boiling water? Isnt me
killing all the bacteria? Ah...so difficult and troublesome. OK lah...dont
drink, dont eat and dont breathe. Happy?