20 Dec 2011
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 20) investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving an 71-year-old man.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, presented with fever, cough and sputum since December 17 and was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on December 18. He is in stable condition now.
A urine test revealed that the patient was infected with Legionella bacteria.
He had no recent travel history and his close contacts were asymptomatic. Investigation is in progress.
This is the 16th case of Legionnaires' Disease reported to the CHP this year. Twenty cases were filed in 2010, 37 in 2009, 13 in 2008 and 11 in 2007.
Information on Legionnaires' Disease and advice on prevention can be found at the CHP's website, www.chp.gov.hk .