Hong Kong investigates 2 suspected botulism cases from injections in Shenzhen
One woman critically ill after receiving injections, as authorities warn over unregistered practitioners
Hong Kong health authorities are investigating the cases of two women who became unwell after receiving cosmetic botulinum toxin injections in Shenzhen, with one left in a critical condition.
The Centre for Health Protection said on Wednesday that the two women were friends and had told authorities they received the injections at a private premises in Shenzhen around the middle of last month.
The women – aged 49 and 50 – said they believed the person who performed the injections was not a healthcare professional.
Authorities said the 49-year-old, who was in a critical condition, began experiencing weakness, blurred vision and difficulty breathing on May 24 and was admitted to hospital in Shenzhen two days later.
She returned to Hong Kong and sought medical attention at North District Hospital in Sheung Shui on May 28 due to persistent symptoms of botulism poisoning.
The woman remained in the intensive care unit as of Wednesday.