21 August 2015
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 21) investigating a sporadic case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting a man aged 79.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, lives in a private building on Broadcast Drive, Kowloon Tong. He has presented with fever, cough and malaise since August 4. He attended the out-patient clinic of a private hospital on August 18 and was admitted for management. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is 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 no recent travel history. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic.
"We are conducting epidemiological investigations into the possible source of infection. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs will be collected from potential sources for laboratory testing. We have provided health advice against LD to the patient and his family," 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 36th LD case reported to the CHP this year. In 2014 and 2013, 41 and 28 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 soils, 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: