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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating an imported case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 40-year-old man.
The patient had developed fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea since October 2 in Beijing. He was admitted to a hospital there in critical condition. He was transferred to Hong Kong yesterday (October 8) for further treatment and was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital on Hong Kong Island on the same day. He is still in critical condition.
Laboratory test of his clinical specimen revealed that he was infected with Legionnaire's Disease.
CHP investigation showed that he was in Beijing during the incubation period.
Investigation continues.
This is the 31st case of Legionnaires' Disease reported this year. Thirteen cases were reported in 2008, 11 in 2007 and 16 in 2006.
Information on Legionnaires' Disease and advice on prevention can be found at the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, October 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:15
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