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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 15) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting a man aged 56.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, lives in a private building on Foo Ming Street, Causeway Bay. He has presented with fever, headache, diarrhoea and abdominal pain since September 11 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital yesterday (September 14) and was admitted for management. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he has been in stable condition.
His urine specimen tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon testing by Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history and his home contacts have remained asymptomatic.
"Epidemiological investigations into the possible source of infection are under way. We have provided health advice against LD to the patient and his home contacts," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"As Legionella are found in various environmental settings and aqueous environments, investigations are ongoing," the spokesman added.
This is the 43rd LD case reported to the CHP this year. In 2014 and 2013, 41 and 28 cases were recorded respectively.
Legionella are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems. They may also get the infection when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
It is most important to operate and maintain properly designed man-made water systems to prevent LD. The public may visit the pages below for more information:
* The CHP's LD page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/24307.html);
* The Code of Practice for Prevention of LD of the Prevention of LD Committee, Hong Kong (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ld_pub_cp.shtml); and
* The Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ld_pub.shtml).
Ends/Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:53
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