Fireman 'barely survived' flesh-eating disease

Donations poured in for Canadian firefighter Christopher Won after he lost his right calf to a flesh-eating disease while on a family vacation in southeast Asia, leading to his hospitalization here in Hong Kong.

His wife, Marie Hui, said Won's condition deteriorated rapidly after experiencing discomfort in his right leg during their trip.

In a post by Hui on Instagram, Won is said to have been diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and undergone multiple surgeries at a Hong Kong hospital, leading to the amputation of his leg below the knee.

"He almost didn't make it out of that operating theater alive. He and the doctors fought so hard," said Hui, expressing gratitude for the support they have received.

When the family was getting ready to fly here from Singapore on February 13, Won started experiencing discomfort. It began with a fever and pain in the leg, and by the time the family arrived, Won was struggling to walk while retrieving their luggage.

Won sent to a hospital after visiting a clinic. The diagnosis was made the next day.

As a non-local, Won has to pay full medical expenses. To help, a crowdfunding campaign was initiated by their friend, Linda Broda, on the GoFundMe website.

The initial target was set at C$50,000 (HK$290,000) but as of yesterday, donations exceeded C$102,000. The funds will be crucial for expenses, including the purchase of prosthetics, as well as compensating for income lost during Won's recovery.

Vancouver mayor Ken Sim sent a bouquet and donated C$2,000.

The exact source of the infection remains unclear, but Hui believes her husband contracted it in Singapore.

Vibrio vulnificus, a Gram-negative bacterium found in warm seawater, is known to cause necrotizing fasciitis when wounds come into contact with seawater or when raw or undercooked seafood contaminated with the bacterium is consumed.

There is no evidence to suggest Vibrio vulnificus is transmitted between humans.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe and potentially fatal bacterial infection that destroys soft tissues and fascia. The mortality rate here is approximately 30 percent.

Won's discharge remains uncertain, as it depends on his recovery progress.