Press Release

Two more pre-disinfection water samples preliminarily tested positive for Legionella pneumophila

5 Jan 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 5) reported that two more water samples taken before cleansing and disinfection of office buildings in connection with a confirmed Legionnaires' Disease (LD) case involving a 67-year-old male patient tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

The latest positive samples came from the water taps of the kitchen of Conference Hall located at 2/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices (CGO) and the pantry located at 3/F of the Legislative Council Complex. Before disinfection, seven and 31 water samples covering 36 locations had been taken at various sites at CGO for analysis on December 28 and 29 respectively.

A CHP spokesman said, "The results of the above two samples only became available today as it took time for the LD bacteria to grow in culture tests on the samples collected. The present laboratory results are preliminary and final results are pending."

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

The investigation is continuing.