7 October 2015
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 7) investigating three cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD).
The first case is a female patient aged 78 with underlying illnesses. She lives in Shek Pai Wan Estate, Aberdeen and presented with fever, cough and shortness of breath since September 22. The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) on September 25 and was admitted for management on the same day. Her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further management on September 29. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and she is now in serious condition.
Her bronchoalveolar lavage specimen tested positive for Legionella pneumophila upon testing by QMH. Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. Her home contact has remained asymptomatic.
The second case is a male patient aged 80 with underlying illnesses. He lives in Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau and presented with fever, cough and shortness of breath since October 1. The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of QMH on October 6 and was admitted for management on the same day. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is now in stable condition.
His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon testing by CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had travelled to Xinhui, Guangdong from September 25 to 30. His home contacts have 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 both patients and their families," a spokesman for the CHP said.
The third patient is a woman aged 96 with underlying illnesses who lives in a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Kwun Tong. She has presented with fever, cough with sputum and shortness of breath since October 5 and was admitted to United Christian Hospital (UCH) on October 6 for management. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and she has been in stable condition.
Her urine specimen tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing by UCH. Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history.
"We are working with the RCHE in which the patient stayed on the epidemiological investigation into the possible source of infection. Tracing of contacts including staff and residents therein is under way. Water samples and environment swabs will be collected from the RCHE for laboratory testing. The RCHE has been put under medical surveillance. The CHP have provided health advice against LD to staff and residents, including those with weakened immunity who should use boiled water for drinking, tooth-brushing and mouth-rinsing," the spokesman said.
"As Legionella are found in various environmental settings and aqueous environments, investigations are ongoing," the spokesman added.
These are the 50th, 51st and 52nd 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: