91-year-old catches rat hepatitis E

Hong Kong sees the third rat hepatitis E case this year. The patient is suspected to have been infected after dining at a restaurant in Homantin Plaza.

The 91-year-old patient involved has underlying medical conditions. Last Wednesday, he was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital due to fever and weakness in his limbs. He was confirmed to have rat hepatitis E and was discharged after six days in the hospital.

Following an investigation, the Centre for Health Protection stated that the elderly man lives in a residential care home for the elderly in Kowloon City and had no travel history during the incubation period. The patient, staff, and family members all stated that no signs of rats were seen at the care home, and the man had no contact with rats.

However, he would dine at a Chinese restaurant at Homantin Plaza at least once or twice a week. After inspecting the premises, the Centre discovered rats there.

The restaurant he regularly dines at was still open for business in the morning.