Boy treated for NDM-1

October 22, 2012

The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed a case of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a year-old Mainland boy.
 
He came to Hong Kong on October 9 and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the same day.
 
He tested positive for NDM-1 which is an enzyme. Bacteria harbouring the NDM gene can be resistant to multiple antibiotics. Infections vary from being asymptomatic to life-threatening or fatal. The level of risk depends on which part of the body is affected by the infection, and the general health of the patient.
 
The boy was discharged on October 12, and his home contacts are asymptomatic.
 
It is the 16th detected case of NDM-1 in Hong Kong.