91-Year-Old Care Home Resident Contracts Rat Hepatitis E in Local Infection
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A 91-year-old man residing in a Kowloon City care home has become Hong Kong's third local case of rat hepatitis E infection this year. The patient, who has underlying health conditions, was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on September 16 after developing fever and limb weakness. Routine blood tests identified abnormal liver function, and subsequent laboratory analysis by the Centre for Health Protection confirmed the rat hepatitis E diagnosis. Despite his advanced age, the patient experienced relatively mild symptoms and remained in stable condition throughout his treatment, eventually being discharged on Monday after making a full recovery.
Key Points
- The 91-year-old male patient with chronic illnesses tested positive for rat hepatitis E at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on September 16
- The Centre for Health Protection's epidemiological investigation confirmed no direct rodent contact or mouse sightings at the care home in Kowloon City
- The patient dined at a Ho Man Tin Plaza restaurant at least once or twice weekly when accompanied by family members
- Food and Environmental Hygiene Department inspectors found poor hygiene conditions and rat traces at the implicated restaurant
- The patient's family members, fellow care home residents, and staff remain asymptomatic and are under medical surveillance
- This case represents the third rat hepatitis E infection recorded in Hong Kong this year
Why It Matters
This case highlights the risk of indirect transmission of rat hepatitis E through environments contaminated by rodents or their excrement, even without direct contact with rats. The discovery of rat traces at a popular food establishment raises public health concerns about hygiene standards in high-traffic dining areas, prompting authorities to intensify pest control and sanitation efforts in the affected neighbourhood .
This case highlights the risk of indirect transmission of rat hepatitis E through environments contaminated by rodents or their excrement, even without direct contact with rats. The discovery of rat traces at a popular food establishment raises public health concerns about hygiene standards in high-traffic dining areas, prompting authorities to intensify pest control and sanitation efforts in the affected neighbourhood .