Press Release

One more pre-disinfection water sample preliminarily tested positive for Legionella pneumophila

6 Jan 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 6) reported that one more water sample 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 sample came from the washroom of the Financial Secretary's Private Office, located at the 25/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices (CGO).

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

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

The investigation is continues.