Doctor dies amid suspected E coli outbreak

Cheng Wong

A cancer specialist from Princess Margaret Hospital has died after being infected with suspected Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli last week.

The Centre for Heath Protection is investigating if the male oncologist was infected with the bacteria through contaminated food or environmental cross-infection.

CHP Communicable Disease Branch head Albert Au Ka-wing said the victim was among a cluster of three specialists in the oncology department of the public hospital in Kwai Chung.

The three doctors did not eat at the same restaurant before the onset of symptoms that included fever and stomach ache on February 4, 6 and 10.

The doctor who fell ill on February 4 and passed away three days later.

The hospital found Shiga toxin-producing E coli in the stool sample of one doctor, while the deceased and the other doctor's samples tested negative.

Au noted that they are pursuing an investigation in two directions: suspected food contamination or environmental cross-infection.

About 40 environmental samples have been collected from the oncology department's office and other locations, along with 20 samples from pantries for analysis.

Yuen Kwok-yung, chair of the department of microbiology and Henry Fok professor of infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong, said the specialist had been in good health and had no chronic diseases, noting it was rare for a healthy adult to die from such infection.

At this stage, no possibilities can be ruled out, and a post-mortem examination may be necessary to determine the cause, he said.

Yuen said since the doctor had already received antibiotic treatment upon admission, the chances of identifying the cause have been further diminished.

He noted that the relevant strain of bacteria can cause illness with as few as 10 to 100 cells, and even a small amount can lead to an infection.

He believes the likelihood of infection through drinking water - which is chlorinated in Hong Kong - is minimal.

Kowloon West cluster chief executive Alexander Law Chun-bon, also the chief executive of Princess Margaret Hospital and North Lantau Hospital, said the doctor was dedicated to his job, and expressed deep sorrow over his passing.

Law noted that the oncologist was in generally good health but developed a severe infection upon admission on February 6, had a low blood oxygen level and a high fever, and required intubation upon admission.

No other patient in his ward showed any symptoms.

Law added that the three doctors worked in the same building and had used a pantry on the sixth floor for meals. The pantry is shared by about 30 doctors.

The two other infected doctors have mild symptoms, with one having already been discharged.

According to the CHP, Shiga toxin-producing E coli can produce potent toxins and cause severe food-borne illness, with symptoms including abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

In a small number of cases, the infection may lead to life-threatening complications.

Shiga toxin-producing E coli is primarily transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated food, such as raw or undercooked ground meat, contaminated fruits and vegetables and unpasteurized dairy products.

Most severe outbreaks worldwide have been caused by a strain linked to bovine food sources.

Au said: "Between 2015 and 2025, the center recorded 33 cases. Such infections are very rare in Hong Kong, with an average of only about zero to six cases reported each year."

"Since [the death case] occurred within the department, we were concerned about severe infections, so we conducted thorough cleaning at the places he had visited in the following days, including the weekend," said Law.

Lawmaker Steven Ho Chun-yin, food safety and environmental hygiene spokesman for the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said hospitals should be the frontline for protecting health, yet a suspected food poisoning case has arisen within one.

He noted this damaged the hospital's reputation and undermined patient trust, affecting public perception of medical safety.

Lawmaker Edward Leung Hei, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong's health affairs spokesman, indicated that the infection's source remains unclear and called for a swift investigation to block potential transmission routes.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau praised the oncologist for his "strong commitment to serving others."

He added: "Just moments before falling ill, he was still caring for patients in the ward. His professionalism, passion for work and concern for patients have deeply moved me. He truly set an example for his peers in the medical community."

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com