Press Release

CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case

17 Apr 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 17) investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 58-year-old man.

The patient, with good past health, presented with cough and shortness of breath since April 8. He sought medical consultation at St Teresa's Hospital on April 15 and was admitted the same day.

The patient’s condition later deteriorated and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on April 17. He is now in critical condition.

Test on his urine sample revealed that the patient was infected with Legionella bacteria.

The patient had travelled to Sanshui, Guangdong Province in the Mainland from April 3 to 4. His home contacts were asymptomatic. Investigation is in progress.

Information on Legionnaires' Disease and advice on prevention can be found at the CHP's website, This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk.