The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a flesh-eating disease case involving a 75-year-old Wong Tai Sin man. The infection is also known as necrotising fasciitis.

He injured the back of his right hand when handling crabs on August 24. He came down with a painful swelling over his wound the next day and was admitted to United Christian Hospital. He is in critical condition.

His blood was tested with vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria that causes the disease.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia. It can destroy tissue and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection.