*****************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 30) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting a 33-year-old woman.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, presented with cough on August 18, followed by shortness of breath, fever and malaise on August 26 as well as diarrhoea the next day (August 27). She attended St. John Hospital on August 28 and was subsequently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) for further management.
She was clinically diagnosed as having pneumonia and is currently in critical condition.
Her endotracheal aspirate tested positive for Legionella pneumophila upon laboratory testing by PYNEH.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period.
Her home contacts have so far remained asymptomatic. Investigations are proceeding.
This is the 13th LD case reported to the CHP this year. Twenty-eight cases were filed in 2012 and 17 in 2011.
The public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/2117.html) for further information on LD and corresponding preventive advice.
Ends/Friday, August 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:18
NNNN
