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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 5) investigating two cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD).
The first case involves a 69-year-old man with underlying illnesses. He presented with fever, chills and chest pain since September 28. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) on October 1 and was admitted on the same day. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. He is currently in stable condition.
His sputum tested positive for Legionella pneumophila upon laboratory testing by TMH.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had travel history to Thailand from September 18 to 23. His home contact has so far remained asymptomatic. Investigations are proceeding.
The second case involves a 67-year-old man with underlying illnesses. He presented with fever, cough and shortness of breath since September 28. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) on September 29 and was admitted on the same day. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. He is currently in stable condition.
His urine specimen tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. His home contacts have so far remained asymptomatic. Investigations are proceeding.
These are the 20th and 21st LD cases reported to the CHP this year. Twenty-eight cases were filed in 2012 and 17 in 2011.
The public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/2117.html) for further information on LD and corresponding preventive advice.
Ends/Saturday, October 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:45
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