Girl, 11, dies after pet hamster bites finger

An autopsy will be conducted on the body of an 11-year-old girl who died yesterday after being bitten by a hamster at home in Ma On Shan.

The asthmatic girl was bitten on the little finger of her right hand while playing with her pet in her flat at Marbella Tower in On Chun Street shortly before 12.45am.

Her father, 46, said her wound was cleaned immediately. She then went into the bathroom, where she developed cramps and passed out.

She was rushed unconscious to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin. Doctors declared her dead shortly after 2am.

Police said an initial investigation found nothing suspicious.

Paediatrician Dr Anthony Ng Wing-keung said it was rare to see a young asthma patient die of an allergic reaction within such a short time frame, unless they were hit by rare anaphylaxis - a rapid and severe allergic reaction that can kill within an hour.

The symptoms include rashes, throat and mouth swelling and cramps. The common causes include insect stings, food and medication.