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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 29) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease.
The patient is a man aged 77 with underlying illness who lives in a private building on Wu Chui Road, Tuen Mun. He has presented with fever since October 21. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on October 24 and was admitted for management the next day. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is now in stable condition.
His urine specimen tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had travelled to Indonesia from October 10 to 18 and his home contacts remained asymptomatic.
"Epidemiological investigations into the possible sources of infection are under way. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs will be collected from potential sources for laboratory testing. Health advice against LD has been given to the patient and contacts," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"As legionellae are found in various environmental settings and aqueous environments, investigations are ongoing," the spokesman added.
This is the 59th LD cases reported to the CHP this year. In 2014 and 2013, 41 and 28 cases were recorded respectively.
Legionellae 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/Thursday, October 29, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:40
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