Rare flesh eating disease contracted by an OFW in Hong Kong

By: Carla Jean Casibang

Ronald Ancheta died shortly after he reunited with his wife in Hong Kong whom he had not seen for nine years.

Ancheta, a pastry chef in Hong Kong, contracted a very rare disease called Necrotizing Fasciitis or commonly known as flesh eating disease.

He complained of excruciating leg pain and was immediately brought to Princess Margaret Hospital.

A report from the news website of South China Morning Post (SCMP) said that the doctors treated 
Ancheta with antibiotics after being diagnosed with having a “bad bacteria”.

The disease progressed quickly and the bacteria has already infested both of his legs, the doctors advised that his legs had to be amputated the soonest time possible to prevent the bacteria from circulating through the bloodstream.

After the surgery, Ancheta never woke up and died the next day, August 13.

It is still unknown whether Ronald contracted the disease in the Philippines or in Hong Kong.

According to a health site (WebMD), it is an infection caused by bacteria which destroys the skin, fat, and 
the tissue covering the muscles within a very short time.

Dr. Rey Salinel, a specialist in infectious diseases, mentioned in a television interview that Necrotizing Fasciitis is not contagious, but direct exposure to an open wound of an infected person can lead to infection. 

He also added that everyone can acquire this rare disease but people with cancer, diabetes, kidney problems and the elderly run a higher risk of developing the disease.

Ancheta has type 2 diabetes which made him a potential candidate for the disease.

According to the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (NNFF), many cases of the disease are often misdiagnosed because the initial symptoms may appear like an ordinary or minor affliction.

It can be acquired from the penetration of bacteria through an opening in the skin, damaged, or a major skin trauma from a surgery.

According to the Health Department of Hong Kong, there have been 69 cases of death due to necrotizing fasciitis since 2007.

Ancheta was the third person listed whose death was attributed to this rare flesh eating disease since July 1 this year.

Department of Health (DOH) nurse Edna Lopez from the Public Health Surveillance and Informatics Division said that the disease is not yet on their list of the national disease surveillance because the possibility of an outbreak is weak.

According to Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, program manager of the Institute for Emerging and Re-emerging 
Diseases at the DOH, “We do not yet have any statistics for the said disease, though none were reported, it does not mean that there were no cases, there could be a lot but was not reported.”

“It is possible that the number of positive cases in the Philippines is negligible that is why it was not included 
in the routine disease surveillance,” Dr. Lee Suy added.

Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag said in a GMA news interview, “If redness persists in the wounds and rapidly spreads within an hour or less, and the wound turns to purple, immediately consult a doctor, it is a matter of life and death,” he said in Tagalog.

Ancheta’s remains were brought home to his family in the Philippines.