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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 24) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting a 56-year-old man.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, presented with fever and cough with sputum since September 18. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) on September 19 and was admitted on the same day. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. He is currently in stable condition.
His sputum tested positive for Legionella pneumophila upon laboratory testing by TMH.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had travel history to Shanghai during the incubation period. His home contacts have so far remained asymptomatic. Investigations are proceeding.
This is the 19th 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/Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:33
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