The Centre for Health Protection is investigating the death of a 40-year-old man who picked up a bacterial infection.

He worked as a trainer in a camp in Tuen Mun on May 21 and 22, was hospitalised on May 25 and died the following day. An abscess on his right arm was found to be infected with Chromobacterium violaceum. The infection had also spread to his bloodstream.

Health experts have taken environmental samples from the campsite and other places the patient had stayed, for testing to confirm the infection source. None of the 40 people who attended the camp have developed any similar illness, and the victim's family are asymptomatic.

Bacterium alert

The Chromobacterium violaceum bacterium can be found in soil and water in tropical and subtropical areas, however human infections are uncommon. Most occur through contact with water and soil through skin abrasions and open wounds.

Besides wound infections, the bacterium can cause blood poisoning and abscesses, and severe cases can lead to death. The infection can be treated early with antibiotics.

When in the countryside:

* cover all wounds properly and avoid contact with soil;

* consult a doctor early if there are signs of fever and wound infection (redness, swelling, heat);

* receive anti-tetanus vaccines as appropriate;

* do not walk barefoot in watery rice paddies, or on muddy land, do not swim in polluted waters and do not wash your face with stream or pond water; and,

* wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover the arms, legs and particularly the ankles and apply insect repellent to exposed skin.