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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to media enquiries on the laboratory results announced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) that Group One Legionella pneumophila was found in the water samples taken from Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH), a spokesman of TMH gave the following reply today (June 27):
A 64-year-old male patient with underlying disease was confirmed with Legionnaires' Disease (LD) in mid-June. The patient had stayed in TMH for a few days and also had a history of travelling to the Mainland during the incubation period. The hospital earlier reported the case to the CHP. Group One Legionella pneumophila was found to be present in the culture of water samples collected by the CHP from the ward concerned. The source of infection for the patient is still being investigated.
TMH has already implemented a series of precautionary and infection control improvement measures in the ward concerned, including:
1. Using new shower heads with filters and installing water taps with filters;
2. Providing boiled water and bottled water for patient drinking and mouth rinsing respectively;
3. Implementing clinical surveillance of patients of the ward and providing urine tests to those who presented with respiratory symptoms; and
4. The water supply system concerned has been cleansed and disinfected, and additional water samples have been collected for repeated testing.
TMH has reminded all health-care staff to stay alert and enhance clinical surveillance of patients. The ward is under normal operation. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP in the investigation of the source of infection. The hospital has conducted routine preventive maintenance for its water supply systems according to the guidelines of the Water Supplies Department and the Hospital Authority.
Ends/Thursday, June 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:49
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