Elderly man tests positive for deadly pig-borne disease
An elderly man has become the sixth victim of the pig-borne Streptococcus suis bacteria this year, the Centre of Health Protection said yesterday.
The 72-year-old man is in stable condition in Princess Margaret Hospital after being admitted last Tuesday. He had complained of fever and the chills on Monday. He had not travelled before falling ill.
A Health Department spokesman said the man, who lives in a private flat in Kwai Ching, had not been to any any wet markets and only rarely prepared food himself.
The mainland had not informed Hong Kong of any outbreaks of animal or human streptococcal infections there, the spokesman said.
Streptococcus suis is a potentially fatal pig-borne disease. Farmers, abattoir workers, meat vendors, cooks and housewives are at higher risk due to their handling of raw meat.
