The Centre for Health Protection has been notified of three cases of necrotising fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus involving a man and two women.

The first patient, a 55-year-old Kwun Tong woman, developed pain and swelling in left knee on July 7. She was admitted to United Christian Hospital on July 9 and is stable. She has no recent travel history, but scratched her left knee after visiting a wet market.

The second patient is a 78-year-old Fanling man who developed pain and swelling in the upper right arm on May 10 and was admitted to North District Hospital where he died the next day. He had no recent travel history and was injured at the area of infection.

The third case involves a 62-year-old Tai Po woman who developed pain and swelling in the left ankle on June 4. She was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital the next day and died June 9. She had no recent travel history.

The center is liaising with the Hospital Authority to monitor the situation. It will send letters to doctors alerting them about Vibrio vulnificus.

Stay alert

People are reminded to:

* avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to seawater or salty water;

* wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and properly covered;

* wear gloves when handling raw shellfish;

* cook shellfish thoroughly;

* when in the shell, either boil until the shells open and continue boiling for five more minutes, or steam until the shells open and keep cooking for nine more minutes. Do not eat shellfish that do not open during cooking; and,

* handle and keep raw seafood separately from cooked seafood.

Patients should seek medical advice promptly if symptoms and signs of infection appear.