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Hong Kong health authorities have confirmed two new cases of melioidosis, bringing the city’s total to 18 so far this year. Both patients are men in stable condition, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said on Friday.
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The first case involves a 44-year-old man with good past health who lives in Yuen Long. He sustained an injury to his right knee on September 19 and later developed a fever, pain, and discharge from the wound. He sought treatment at Tin Shui Wai Hospital’s accident and emergency department on October 6, where he was diagnosed with a wound infection. He did not require hospitalisation.
The second case involves a 66-year-old man with underlying health conditions who lives in Kwai Tsing. He developed a fever, fatigue, and fainting on October 10 before seeking medical attention at Queen Elizabeth Hospital the next day. He was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with sepsis.
Laboratory tests later confirmed that both patients’ clinical samples were positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacterium that causes melioidosis.
The CHP said investigations into the sources of infection are underway. Preliminary findings suggest the two infections are sporadic, with no epidemiological links to previously reported cases in Hong Kong.
As of October 16, the city has recorded 18 melioidosis cases this year. A total of 23 cases were reported in 2024.
