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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 66-year-old man living in Southern District.
The patient, with underlying illness, presented with fever, cough, breathlessness and malaise since September 9. He was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on September 11 and found to have features of pneumonia. He remains hospitalised in stable condition.
A urine test revealed that the patient was infected with Legionella bacteria.
He has no recent travel history. His home contact is asymptomatic. Investigation is in progress.
This is the 11th case of Legionnaires' Disease reported to the CHP this year. Twenty cases were filed in 2010, 37 in 2009, 13 in 2008 and 11 in 2007.
Information on Legionnaires' Disease and advice on prevention can be found at the CHP's website, www.chp.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, September 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:56
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