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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 5) investigating a fatal case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) involving a 74-year-old man.
The patient, with chronic illness, presented with cough on December 1. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre on December 4 and was admitted on the same day. He developed fever and shortness of breath after admission and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on December 5.
His urine sample tested positive for serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophilia antigen.
The investigation by the CHP is underway.
This is the 25th LD case reported to the CHP this year. Seventeen cases were filed in 2011, 20 in 2010 and 37 in 2009.
For more information on LD and corresponding preventive advice, the public may visit the website of the CHP (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:51
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