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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 8) investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 46-year-old man.
The patient, with chronic illness, presented with fever and productive cough since June 3. He was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on June 7 due to blood-stained sputum. The patient was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for septic shock. His current condition is critical.
A urine sample of the patient detected the presence of serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophilia antigen.
The patient travelled regularly between Hong Kong and Dongguan on the Mainland. His home contacts were asymptomatic. Investigation is in progress.
This is the tenth case of Legionnaires' Disease reported to the CHP this year. Seventeen cases were filed in 2011, 20 in 2010 and 37 in 2009.
Information on Legionnaires' Disease and advice on prevention can be found on the CHP's website, www.chp.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, June 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:02
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