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Press Release

CHP investigates case of Legionnaires' disease

21 April 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 21) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) involving a man aged 60.

The patient was admitted to a private hospital on April 5 for his underlying illness. He developed fever and productive cough on April 15 and was transferred to another private hospital yesterday (April 20) for further management.

The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is now in serious condition.

His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.

Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic.

"We are working with the private hospital concerned on the epidemiological investigation into the possible source of infection. Water samples and environment samples will be collected from the hospital and the patient's residence for laboratory testing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"As Legionella bacteria can be widely found in the environment, investigations are ongoing," the spokesman remarked.

The incubation period of LD is generally about two to 10 days, but it may take longer to develop symptoms for some immunocompromised patients.

This is the 10th LD case reported to the CHP this year. In 2014 and 2013, 41 and 28 cases were recorded respectively.

The public may visit the CHP's LD page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/2117.html) for further information and corresponding preventive advice.



Last Revision Date : 21 Apr 2015