The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a flesh-eating disease case involving a 52-year-old Sha Tin woman.

The infection is also known as necrotising fasciitis.

She injured her right index finger while washing fish at home June 7 and developed fever, swelling and redness in the arm. She was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital and is now in critical condition.

Her wound tested positive for vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria which can cause the disease.

Necrotising fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue. It can destroy tissue and can cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection. For prevention tips click here.