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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 28) provided an update on its investigation into an earlier confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) involving a 67-year-old man.
A spokesman for the CHP said that preliminary laboratory results on the water samples taken from the water tap at a private washroom inside the patient's office showed the presence of Legionella species (Group-one Legionella pneumophila), the bacteria linked to LD.
No Legionella pneumophila was detected in the water samples taken from the water tank of the same office building, nor at the patient's residence.
"The present laboratory results are preliminary. Final laboratory results are needed to draw a more solid conclusion to the source of infection,' the spokesman said.
As a precautionary measure, CHP together with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Water Supplies Department and the Architectural Services Department, have collected more water samples from the office building to conduct further tests today.
"The Centre has advised the building's management office on appropriate follow up actions including disinfection and risk mitigation measures," the spokesman said.
The patient had been admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on December 18 and is now in stable condition. Investigation continues.
Legionella bacteria are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (25 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environment such as water tanks, cooling towers, whirlpool and spas, water fountains and apparatus that support breathing. Design, operate and maintain man-made water systems properly could prevent LD.
For more information about the good practices in handling man-made water systems, please visit EMSD's website for the Code of Practice issued by the Prevention of Legionnaires' Disease Committee.
Ends/Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:00
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