10 botulism cases reported

(August 05, 2016)

The Hospital Authority has received 10 probable botulism cases from receiving injections since May, following an additional case reported.
 
The new case affected a 46-year-old woman who received botulinum toxin injections in Shenzhen on July 8 and developed slurred speech and difficulty in swallowing followed by limb weakness around July 11.
 
She was admitted to North District Hospital on August 3 and the clinical diagnosis was suspected iatrogenic botulism.
 
The authority’s Poison Information Centre Consultant Dr Tse Man-li said at a press briefing today that the 10 patients, aged 21 to 47, had been treated in six public hospitals from May 24 to August 3 mainly for different degrees of weakness in the neck, throat and limbs. More severe cases had difficulties in standing and walking, swallowing, speaking and breathing.
 
Eight reported that they had received injections on the Mainland - seven in Shenzhen and one in Guangzhou. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
 
Also attending the briefing, the Department of Health’s Principal Medical & Health Officer Dr Wan Yuen-kong warned the public that such injections should only be prescribed and performed by registered doctors.
 
"Those who must receive injections outside Hong Kong should pay special attention to ensure that practitioners are qualified or registered with the relevant jurisdictions. If in doubt, stop receiving it immediately. Promptly consult qualified healthcare professionals if feeling unwell," he said.
 
"We have been maintaining close liaison with Mainland health and drug regulatory counterparts to identify if there are similar cases. We noted that follow-up measures have been taken by the relevant Mainland health authority," he added.
 
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