Press Release

Case of Legionnaires' disease under CHP investigation

31 May 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 31) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) involving a 53-year-old man.

The patient, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough and blood-stained sputum since April 28. He was admitted to the North District Hospital on May 3. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. He was in stable condition and was discharged on May 9.

Serology testing showed that he was infected with Legionella bacteria.

The CHP’s investigation revealed that the patient lives in Shenzhen and travels to Hong Kong for work. His family contacts are asymptomatic.

Investigations by the CHP are proceeding.

This is the seventh LD case reported to the CHP this year. Twenty-eight cases were filed in 2012, 17 in 2011 and 20 in 2010.

For further information on LD and corresponding preventive advice, the public may visit the CHP website (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk).