Press Release

One more water sample preliminarily tested positive for Legionella pneumophila

4 Jan 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 4) revealed that one more water sample taken from the office buildings in connection with a confirmed Legionnaires' Disease (LD) case involving a 67-year-old male patient was tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

The latest positive sample came from the private washroom of the Secretary for Home Affairs, located at the 12/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices (CGO). The sample was collected before cleansing and disinfection measures were taken at CGO.

A CHP spokesman said: “The result is only available today as it took time for the LD bacteria to grow in culture tests on the sample collected.”

Testing for the remaining water samples collected at various sites at CGO before thorough disinfection are still underway.

The spokesman stressed said that the present laboratory results are preliminary and final results are pending.

Investigation continues.