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A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (January 12) that further laboratory tests on water samples taken from a spa pool in a private club house in Discovery Bay confirmed positive growth for Legionella, a type of bacteria that caused legionnaires disease.
CHP's investigations revealed that a 38-year-old man had developed symptoms of legionnaires disease after using the spa pool in the club house last month. He is now under treatment in a private hospital and is in a stable condition.
As Legionella survives and multiplies in natural fresh water, the spokesman called on operators and owners of man-made water systems to keep the facilities in good condition and to carry out thorough disinfection and cleansing on a regular basis.
These man-made water systems include cooling towers, air handling unit / fan coil unit of the air-conditioning systems, air washers, humidifiers, hot / cold water systems, architectural fountains, spa pools, swimming pools and misting devices.
Meanwhile, the hotline 2125 1122 set up by the CHP to provide health information on legionnaires disease have received 66 enquiries, 40 of which are from people who had visited the facilities of the clubhouse. None of the callers have symptoms of legionnairesˇ¦ disease. The hotline is operating from 9am to 5pm.
To prevent the disease, people are reminded to observe the following:
An individual may reduce their susceptibility to the disease by avoiding smoking and excessive drinking, and maintaining good health.
* People handling garden soils, composts and potting mixes should take the following precautions:
- Gently water gardens and composts using low pressure.
- Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face.
- Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants.
- Prevent working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses and
- Wash hands carefully afterwards.
* Proper design, operation and maintenance of man-made water systems.
For more information about good practices to be followed in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of man-made water systems, please visit the website of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ld_pub_cp.shtml) for the Code of Practice published by the Prevention of Legionnaires' Disease Committee in 2007.
Information on legionnaires disease and advice on preventive measures can also be found on CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk).ˇ@
Ends/Monday, January 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:01
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