20 November 2015
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 20) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease.
The patient is a woman aged 57 with underlying illness. She has presented with fever, cough with sputum and shortness of breath since November 16. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital yesterday (November 19) and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for further management on the same day. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia complicated by status asthmaticus and she is now in critical condition.
Her 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 lived in Hunan Province and came to Hong Kong on November 9. While in Hong Kong, she stayed in a private building on Prince Edward Road West, Mong Kok. Her household 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 her household 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 60th 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: