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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 9) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting a man aged 57.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, has presented with fever, cough with sputum and shortness of breath since January 4 and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for management on January 8.
The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he has been in stable condition all along.
His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing by QEH.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had travelled to Taishan and Zhongshan in Guangdong from December 22 to 24, 2014, on his own. The health authority of Guangdong will be informed. Investigations are proceeding.
This is the second LD case reported to the CHP this year. In 2014 and 2013, 41 and 28 cases were recorded respectively.
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, January 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:33
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