December 29, 2007	Saturday	Zilhaj 18, 1428

HONG KONG: Hong Kong health authorities said on Friday they were investigating the death of a 55-year-old man from a rare flesh-eating bacteria.

The man visited a doctor after developing neck pain and upper respiratory tract problems on Sunday, the health department said.

He developed pain in his right buttock and was admitted to a private hospital on Christmas Day for surgery to remove infected tissue. He was then transferred to another hospital where he died on Thursday.

Tests showed the man’s buttock wound was infected with Streptococcus pyogenes, which causes Necrotizing fasciitis — commonly known as “flesh-eating bacteria” — the Centre for Health Protection said.

A spokesman for the centre said the bacteria could destroy tissue and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection.

The case has been handed to the coroner’s court for investigation.

The disease is often caused by the bacteria entering the body through a cut or other wound, even quite minor ones. It can be treated with antibiotics and removal of infected tissue if promptly diagnosed.—AFP