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Harvey Kong

Hong Kong’s health minister, Lo Chung-mau, has urged residents to be careful when handling freshwater fish after 27 people were infected with the potentially deadly Group B Streptococcus.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the cause of the infection was related to handling and contact with raw freshwater fish.
Hong Kong experienced a similar outbreak in 2021, with more than 50 people infected with the same strain, known as ST283 or serotype III sequence type 283.
The Post breaks down this latest outbreak, so you can stay informed and protected.
1. What happened in the latest outbreak?
On Friday, the CHP said recent surveillance data had revealed a rising trend in the number of patients testing positive for invasive Group B Streptococcus from August to September 11.
The centre later discovered that 27 people – 10 men and 17 women, aged between 53 and 88 – had tested positive for ST283. No cluster was identified.
Twenty patients had underlying illnesses. Five of the 27 were discharged, 17 patients were in a stable condition in hospital and three in a serious condition. Two patients died.
Health authorities later discovered that about 90 per cent of the patients had contact with or handled raw freshwater fish before the onset of their infections. Seven reported that they had wounds on their hand when handling raw fish.
Investigations also found that ST283 in environmental and fish samples collected from a fish stall in Shek Wu Hui market was identical to that found in some patients.
The CHP said the infected fish did not come from a specific market. Cases had been reported in 14 markets across seven districts, it added.
Cleansing and disinfection were arranged for all freshwater fish stalls in the market.

2. What about the 2021 outbreak?
This is not the first time the city has experienced an outbreak of invasive Group B Streptococcus, with a surge of infections reported in 2021.
In October that year, authorities recorded at least 80 cases, with two people in a 32-strong cluster dying.
The CHP said on Friday that the 2021 outbreak, which occurred between September and October, included a cluster of more than 50 cases of ST283, associated with contact with raw freshwater fish or consumption of undercooked ones.
3. How dangerous is it?
Group B Streptococcus is a bacteria commonly seen in the intestinal, urinary and reproductive tracts. It is usually not harmful and does not lead to any symptoms, but can potentially cause infections in blood, bones, lungs or the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Health minister Lo on Saturday said the infection could be treated with antibiotics, and controlled as long as treatment was given early.
Infectious disease specialist Dr Joseph Tsang Kay-yan said in 2021 that bacterial infections from freshwater fish were rare but also warned that the bacteria could damage different organs if it entered a person’s bloodstream.
He said women who had just given birth and newborns were more susceptible to invasive Group B streptococcus.

4. Has the seafood industry been affected?
Lee Choi-wah, chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Seafood Merchants, said it was too early to gauge the effects of the latest outbreak as the government had just announced the surge in cases.
“There could be more people paying attention after the government made their announcement about the outbreak. We might see some impact on fishmongers in the next two days,” he said.
“Once people see the news, they may be more careful and eat less freshwater fish in the next few days.”
Lee said the trade had been more careful since the 2021 outbreak, adding that he had appealed to fishmongers to wear gloves.
He added he was more worried about shoppers, as they still did not understand the importance of not touching raw freshwater fish with their bare hands.
5. How can residents protect themselves?
The CHP said workers in stores selling aquatic products or restaurants must wear gloves when handling seafood. They should also avoid direct contact with fish or dirty water with their bare hands.
It added that the public should avoid direct contact with seafood when buying them or use any towels provided at these stalls. They should also wash their hands with liquid soap and water as soon as possible after handling raw or undercooked aquatic products.
The CHP recommends that residents use gloves at home and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards. They should also avoid preparing seafood if they have a hand wound, in addition to cleaning and covering any injuries sustained when cooking such items.
Health authorities also warned the public against eating any freshwater fish sashimi, and raw or undercooked freshwater aquatic products.
Lo said he would not ask the public to avoid eating freshwater fish but only remind them to be careful when handling them.


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City’s health chief has urged residents to be careful when handling freshwater fish after 27 people were infected with Group B Streptococcus


City’s health chief has urged residents to be careful when handling freshwater fish after 27 people were infected with Group B Streptococcus.


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.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}City’s health chief has urged residents to be careful when handling freshwater fish after 27 people were infected with Group B Streptococcus

1. What happened in the latest outbreak?

City’s health chief has urged residents to be careful when handling freshwater fish after 27 people were infected with Group B Streptococcus