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Emily Tsang

The Department of Health is investigating another suspected case of botulism after a 21-year-old woman experienced serious complications after receiving injections in Shenzhen.
This is the third case in recent months in which Hong Kong victims developed the potentially fatal condition after receiving Botox injections in mainland beauty salons.
Series of severe post-botox complications prompts Hong Kong authorities to set up helpline
The latest patient was in stable condition in North District Hospital on Thursday.
She had a good past health history but began to develop blurred vision, neck weakness and difficulty in swallowing since last Thursday, following a Botox injection on her calves two days earlier.
“We have no evidence at this stage that patients in the three recent cases received injections in the same premises,” said a Health Department spokesman.
He said the department had been in close contact with the mainland health and drug regulatory authorities to determine if there were similar cases.
“It is possible there is a quality issue regarding injections [on the mainland] or that the person who administered the injection was unfamiliar with the dosage,” said Dr Walter King Wing-keung, president of the Hong Kong Association of Cosmetic Surgery.
“An overdose would mean botulinum toxin could spread to other organs and affect other areas beyond the injection site, resulting in botulism.”
He said most of the Botox brands being used in Hong Kong were supplied by two major manufacturers from the US and Europe, both of which have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
But in recent years there have been other manufacturers, including from South Korea and mainland China.
Mainland Chinese students ‘targeted Hong Kong’ for fake Botox operations
The spokesman warned that those who received injections outside Hong Kong should pay special attention to ensure that practitioners were qualified or registered with relevant jurisdictions, he said.
Botox treatment is often used for cosmetic purposes to prevent wrinkles or slim down the applied areas by paralysing the muscles.
In Hong Kong, a dose costs HK$5,000 to HK$8,000 at beauty salons and medical clinics, depending on the quality of the dose. An injection must be performed by a registered doctor.
On the mainland, the treatment costs much less – about HK$1,000.
Last month, the department reported two cases involving serious complications. In one case, a 46-year-old woman received injections in her legs. She was admitted to the emergency department of Caritas Medical Centre in Sham Shui Po and later discharged. Another female patient received injections to her forehead, cheek, neck and corners of her eyes.
The department has activated a hotline on 2125 1133 for patients to provide details for epidemiological investigation.


Third Hong Kong woman develops suspected botulism after Botox treatment in Shenzhen

There have been three recent cases involving Botox injections. Photo: Shutterstock

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Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Patient in stable condition in North District Hospital after developing blurred vision, neck weakness and difficulty in swallowing


Third Hong Kong woman develops suspected botulism after Botox treatment in Shenzhen

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Patient in stable condition in North District Hospital after developing blurred vision, neck weakness and difficulty in swallowing

Patient in stable condition in North District Hospital after developing blurred vision, neck weakness and difficulty in swallowing