November 27, 2001
In response to media enquiries, the Department of Health (DH) today (November 27) said that there had been an effective disease surveillance system for Legionnaires' disease since 1994.
A spokesman for DH said: "Our records show that Legionnaires' disease is very rare in Hong Kong. Only one to three cases are reported each year with an incidence rate of 0.1 - 0.5 per 1 000 000 population."
"There is no evidence showing that the finding of legionella organisms in the water in cooling towers was associated with Legionnaires' disease."
"There is no cause for undue alarm."
The spokesman said that the Prevention of Legionnaires' Disease Committee, chaired by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), had published a Code of Practice for the Prevention of Legionnaires' Disease to provide practical guidelines for the building owners and building services practitioners to follow in the design, operation and maintenance of air-conditioning and water systems, especially cooling towers.
Presence of organisms in the water in a cooling tower only indicates that the operation of the cooling system should be reviewed and the water tower be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
The spokesman said: "The disease is transmitted by inhalation of contaminated airborne droplets and mist. The droplets usually arise from artificial water systems such as water cooling towers. It is not directly transmissible from person to person or by ingestion."
"The disease is mainly manifested as pneumonia. It is treatable with antibiotics."
To-date, three local cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported in Hong Kong in 2001. They were isolated cases. All patients have recovered.