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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 3) investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 56-year-old man.
The patient presented with fever, cough, shortness of breath and diarrhoea since July 10. He was admitted to North District Hospital on July 13. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. He was discharged on July 20.
Blood tests revealed that the patient was infected with Legionella bacteria.
The patient travelled frequently to the Mainland for work. An investigation is in progress.
This is the 17th 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, August 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:06
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