Authorities have begun an investigation into a Causeway Bay beauty centre after three women who received similar kinds of treatment there fell critically ill with septic shock and were taken into intensive care.
A government statement last night said the first case involved a 56-year-old woman who had an underlying illness. Shortly after undergoing a procedure at a Causeway Bay outlet of the DR beauty treatment chain on Wednesday afternoon she developed symptoms including fever, chest discomfort and headache.
The chain, which has more than than 40 centres in the city, was unavailable for comment last night.
The first woman was diagnosed with septic shock yesterday after being admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital, Wan Chai, where she was in a critical condition and in intensive care.
In the second case, a 46-year-old healthy woman developed fever and diarrhoea on Wednesday evening after receiving treatment at the same centre. She was later admitted to Ruttonjee's intensive care unit, where she was confirmed as having the same symptoms as the first woman.
The third case involved a 60-year-old woman who developed chills, headache, bone pain and dizziness while receiving the treatment. She was admitted to St Teresa's Hospital, Kowloon City yesterday, where she was in a critical condition after being diagnosed with septic shock.