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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to media enquiries on the preliminary laboratory results by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) that Legionella species (non-Group One Legionella pneumophila) were found in the water samples taken from Queen Mary Hospital (QMH), a spokesman of QMH made the following announcement:
The CHP has provided an update on its investigation into an earlier confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) involving an 81-year-old woman admitted to QMH. The CHP conducted an investigation in QMH last week during which water samples were collected for laboratory testing. Preliminary laboratory results revealed the presence of low pathogenic Legionella species (non-Group One Legionella pneumophila ).
Upon confirmation of the case of LD, QMH has implemented a series of measures to assist in the investigation into the potential source of the infection, to enhance clinical surveillance and to improve patient care practice to avoid further infection. QMH assessed all the 17 patients in ward C4 where the infected patient had stayed. Six of them, who were found to have fever, were screened for urinary legionella antigen with negative results.
The supply of fresh water in ward C4 has now been suspended until culture results of water samples are satisfactory. Parts of water supply facilities including showers heads and associated flexible hoses in the toilets of ward C4 have been replaced. For the sake of safety, boiled water is now being used for mouth rinsing for immunocompromised patients. In order to enhance clinical surveillance, frontline clinical colleagues are reminded to pay attention to patients with symptoms of LD to enable early clinical diagnosis and treatment.
QMH will continue to collaborate with CHP closely. More water samples will be collected for further testing if necessary. QMH has a regular monitoring system on the water supply facilities, including daily recording of temperature of central hot water supply system, cleaning of water tanks in every three months in compliance with the guidelines set by the Water Supplies Department, annual maintenance of central hot water supply system and seawater cooling tower to ensure the quality of water is up to standard. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department also conducts regular water culture for Legionella in the seawater cooling tower. The result was negative in 2010.
The 81-year-old patient was admitted to QMH on March 3 due to abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Her urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila on April 2.
Ends/Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 03:00
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