The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating a fatal case of necrotising fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, involving a 66-year-old man with chronic diseases.

The patient lived in Sai Kung. He developed swelling on his left calf  on September 13 and was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital the next day. He died a day later.

The case has been referred to the coroner. Laboratory tests on the tissues from the patient's left leg yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria that causes flesh-eating disease.

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

The centre reminds people to seek medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms and signs of infection such as increasing redness, pain and swelling.