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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 16) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD).
The male patient, aged 54 with underlying illnesses, lives in Tin Yan Estate, Tin Shui Wai. He has presented with cough, shortness of breath and on-and-off fever since November 11. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on December 11 and was admitted on the same day for management. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of Queen Mary Hospital with intubation on December 13. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is now in critical condition.
His urine specimen tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history and his home contact 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," 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 65th LD case 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/en/supporting_government_initiatives/legionnaires_disease/publications/codes_of_practice/index.html); and
* The Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/supporting_government_initiatives/legionnaires_disease/publications/general/index.html).
Ends/Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:00
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