**********************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 20) investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 71-year-old man.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, presented with fever, cough and sputum since December 17 and was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on December 18. He is now in a stable condition.
A urine test revealed that the patient was infected with Legionella bacteria.
He had no recent travel history and his close contacts were asymptomatic. Investigation is in progress.
This is the 16th 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/Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:04
NNNN
