A 44-year-old Tseung Kwan O man is being treated for necrotising fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease.

He injured his left middle finger when handling fish July 30 and it became infected. He sought treatment at Tseung Kwan O Hospital on August 3 and is in stable condition.

He tested positive for vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis. The disease can destroy tissue and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection.

People should avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to seawater or salty water and thoroughly cleanse and properly cover wounds. Click here for more health tips.