**********************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 10) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting a man aged 67.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, has presented with fever, cough with sputum and shortness of breath since July 5. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on July 7 and was admitted on the same day. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further management on July 9. The clinical diagnosis is pneumonia and he is now in a critical condition.
His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing by QEH.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. His home contact has remained asymptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
This is the 25th 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, July 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:40
NNNN
