A 32-year-old Hong Kong man living in Shenzhen is critically ill with leptospirosis, the Centre for Health Protection announced today.

He came down with a fever and cough on November 23 and was admitted to hospital two days later. A cross-boundary driver, he travelled daily between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

It is the ninth case in Hong Kong this year. There were five cases last year.

Leptospirosis is an animal disease caused by the bacteria leptospira which can be found in rodents, cattle, pigs, horses and dogs. Most human infections occur through contact with the infected mammals' urine through skin abrasions, open wounds or mucous membranes, and occasionally through ingestion or inhalation.