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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 30) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting a man aged 68.
The patient, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough and shortness of breath since January 24. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on January 28 and was admitted for management on the same day. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on January 29. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is currently in a critical condition.
His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient travelled to Guangdong on January 19. His home contacts have so far remained asymptomatic. Investigations are proceeding.
This is the first LD case reported to the CHP this year. Twenty-eight cases were filed in 2013 and 2012 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/Thursday, January 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:45
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