Hong Kong wet markets battling health scare after outbreak of potentially dangerous bacterial infection linked to freshwater fish
- Medical experts have urged the public to avoid eating raw seafood, with cases linked to grass carp, bighead carp, and snakehead
- Vendors and shoppers taking extra precautions after warning not to touch fish without gloves on
Hong Kong’s wet markets are grappling with a health scare after an outbreak of a potentially dangerous bacterial infection in the city was linked to freshwater fish sold by some vendors.
Medical experts have urged the public to avoid eating raw seafood after 79 cases of invasive Group B Streptococcus bacteria infection were detected in patients at public hospitals between September and October 10.
The Centre for Health Protection reported another nine cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 88.
Lee Choi-wah, chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Seafood Merchants, said he feared businesses would be hurt, and called for sellers and shoppers to take precautions when handling fish. Cases have been linked to grass carp, bighead carp and snakehead fish.
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 potentially can cause infections in blood, bone, lungs or the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
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Hong Kong health authorities warn of bacteria risk after dozens of cases tied to freshwater fish
The alarm was triggered this week when two people from a 32-strong cluster carrying a strain known as serotype III sequence type 283 (ST283) died.
