The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease, involving a 62-year-old man who is in critical condition.

He sustained injuries to his right hand at home while handling a fish October 8. He developed swelling on the right hand and a fever the next day and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He lives in Wong Tai Sin.

He tested positive for Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.

The disease is a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue and fascia, which can cause death within 12 to 24 hours of infection.