Albert Au Ka-wing, Head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), met the media at Princess Margaret Hospital at 5 p.m. today (Feb. 11) to explain a cluster of suspected Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections involving 3 doctors of the oncology department. One of them became ill on Feb. 4 and was hospitalized on Feb. 6, but passed away on Feb. 7.

Au said, one of the patients with mild symptoms in the group tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in stool samples, while the other two, including the deceased, tested negative for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The CHP initially concluded that the cause of the case may have included the patients having consumed contaminated food, and has also contacted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to conduct inspections of the restaurants in the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Au also said that the cause of the case might not be food-related as the three patients did not dine in the same restaurant and there might be a chance of human-to-human transmission through the contaminated environment. Dozens of environmental samples have been collected from the oncology department's office, restrooms and toilets, and further tests are underway.

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, Chair Professor of Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, said the death of a healthy adult after infection with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is very rare, and at this stage, we cannot rule out any possibility that an autopsy may be needed to find the cause of the disease.

Yuen added that since the deceased had already received antibiotics after admission to the hospital, the chance of finding the cause of the disease was relatively slim. He also urged against taking antibiotics for treatment as they can make the symptoms of this type of E. coli more severe. In addition, only 10 to 100 capsules of the strain can cause disease, and the strain is acid-resistant, so drugs that inhibit stomach acid may make it more likely to cause disease.

According to the information, the symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even hemorrhagic diarrhea, and some patients may have fever and vomiting. In a small number of patients, the infection may develop into life-threatening complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure in young children.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is mainly transmitted through eating or drinking contaminated food, such as raw or undercooked meat, contaminated fruits and vegetables, and unpasteurized milk products. In addition, human-to-human transmission via the fecal-oral route, contaminated drinking and recreational water, and direct contact with farm animals or their surroundings are important risk factors for infection.

In addition, the incubation period for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections is usually 3 to 8 days, with the usual incubation period being 3 to 4 days. Antibiotics should not be used to treat this type of infection and may even increase the risk of HUS.

Related News:

HK Tramways proposes fare increase: Adult fare to rise to HK$3.3

Messi's absence and fitness chain closure drive consumer complaints to record levels in HK