**********************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 4) investigating two cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting two men aged 55 and 85.
The first patient is a 55-year-old man with underlying illnesses who lives alone. He has presented with fever, chills and cough since June 24. He was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) on July 2 and was discharged today. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. He has no recent travel history and has been in stable condition all along.
The second patient is an 85-year-old man with underlying illnesses. He has presented with cough with sputum since June 30 and developed fever on July 2. He attended a general outpatient clinic on July 2 and was admitted to QMH on July 3. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he has been in stable condition all along. He has no recent travel history and his home contact remains asymptomatic.
Both patients' urine samples tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.
These are the 18th and 19th LD cases reported to the CHP this year. In 2013 and 2012, 28 cases were filed in each year.
The public may visit the CHP's LD page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/2117.html) for further information and corresponding preventive advice.
Ends/Friday, July 4, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:42
NNNN
