Press Release

Update on Legionella pneumophila laboratory results

3 Jan 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 3) provided an update on the preliminary laboratory results on the water samples taken from the various sites of the office buildings in connection with a confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) involving a 67-year-old male patient.

Among the 31 samples taken earlier, samples covering nine locations were tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

The positive samples were collected from the private washrooms of the Chief Executive's Office, the Secretary for Financial Services and Treasury (24/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, CGO), the Secretary for Labour and Welfare (10/F, West Wing, CGO), the Secretary for Civil Service (9/F, West Wing, CGO), the Secretary for Transport and Housing (22/F, East Wing, CGO) and the Secretary for Security (10/F, East Wing, CGO).

The remaining positive water samples came from other sites, namely the water taps of the kitchens of the CGO's Canteen on the 1/F and the Dining Hall in the Legislative Council Building; and a tap at the food counter in the bakery on the 2/F podium outside East Wing.

"The present laboratory results are preliminary. Final laboratory results are pending," a CHP spokesman said.

The CHP has advised the building's management office on appropriate follow up actions including disinfection and risk mitigation measures. Post-disinfection water samples will be taken later for further tests.

Investigation continues.