40 cases of infections from freshwater fish prompt warning

Henry Siu

Hongkongers are warned not to touch live seafood with bare hands as the SAR is facing an outbreak of bacteria in freshwater fish.

It comes after 40 people were infected with an invasive Group B Streptococcus, among whom two with underlying illnesses have died.

Speaking on radio yesterday, a specialist in infectious diseases, Joseph Tsang Kay-yan, said people could contract the bacteria by eating undercooked freshwater fish or touching it if their skin has wounds.

Global warming and rising sea temperatures are favorable factors for the bacteria's growth, he said.

None of the infected patients work in the fishing industry, as fishermen and vendors would usually wear protective clothes and gloves.

Tsang warned people not to touch undercooked seafood with bare hands.

"I suggest cooks should never touch live seafood, freshwater fish or even water at fish markets with bare hands," he said.

"If they have to touch them, they should wear gloves and must bandage their wounds."

Tsang said invasive Group B Streptococcus may cause severe infections, including sepsis, joint infections, meningitis and pneumonia.

Early symptoms may resemble a common infection, such as fever and chills, but might also lead to joint inflammation and swelling. If patients fail to receive timely treatment, including antibiotics, their condition may worsen and lead to low blood pressure, a rapid pulse or other severe conditions.

Ho Pak-leung, director of the University of Hong Kong's Centre for Infection, said the bacteria is commonly present in fish during breeding and wholesale process as they have been detected in various wet markets.

Tsang and Ho urged the government to strengthen prevention and control, carry out targeted inspections to identify infected fish as soon as possible.

Since Monday, Hong Kong has recorded 40 patients infected with the bacteria, among whom 10 have been discharged. Twenty-five others are in stable condition and three are in serious condition but two with underlying illnesses passed away, according to the Centre for Health Protection.

According to the center, 31 of the 40 patients had handled raw freshwater fish, or gotten into contact with them, before the onset of symptoms. Five had wounds on their hands, while six might have consumed undercooked freshwater fish.

The freshwater fish were bought from 23 markets in 11 districts, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has strengthened the cleaning and disinfection of the relevant markets, while the CHP issued a letter to doctors alerting them of Group B Streptococcus infection.

Authorities have carried out inspections at the Cheung Sha Wan wholesale food market and collected samples for testing and analysis. So far, no abnormality has been observed in the wholesale fish markets.

henry.siu@singtaonewscorp.com