Press Release

Further updates on CHP's investigation into Legionnaires' Disease case

4 September 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health provided an update on its investigation on an earlier case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) involving a 68-year-old man.

Latest laboratory results available today (September 4) revealed that the isolate from the patient has different genetic characteristics from the isolates obtained from the water outlets of the two wards of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH). This suggests that the source of infection of the patient is not likely from these wards.

The patient, with underlying medical condition, was diagnosed as having Legionnaires' Disease on August 24. Besides staying at home, the patient had stayed a few days in two wards of PYNEH during the incubation period.

Earlier on, CHP's preliminary laboratory results on three out of eight water samples taken from water outlets in the two wards where the patient had stayed revealed the presence of Legionella species (Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1). No Legionella pneumophila was detected in the water samples at the water tank of the hospital, nor the patient’s residence.

The patient is now in stable condition. CHP's investigation continues.

Legionella bacteria are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (25 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environment such as water tanks, cooling towers, whirlpool and spas, water fountains and apparatus that support breathing. Design, operate and maintain man-made water systems properly could prevent LD. For more information, please visit the website of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department for the Code of Practice issued by the Prevention of LD Committee (This link will open in a new windowwww.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ld_pub_cp.shtml).