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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 62-year-old tourist.
The patient, with good past health, presented with headache, joint pain, cough and fever since October 23. He arrived in Hong Kong on October 24 and was admitted to a private hospital the next day. He is currently in stable condition.
A urine test revealed that the patient was infected with Legionella bacteria.
He had travelled to the Mainland between October 15 and 24. His two travel companions were asymptomatic. Investigation is in progress.
This is the 12th 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/Thursday, October 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:34
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