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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 10) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) affecting a man aged 49.
The patient, with good past health, has presented with fever and chills since December 4. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on December 8 and was subsequently admitted for management the following day. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is currently in stable condition.
His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon preliminary laboratory testing by QEH.
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.
This is the 28th LD case reported to the CHP this year. Twenty-eight cases were filed in 2012 and 17 in 2011.
The public may visit the CHP's LD page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/2117.html) for further information and corresponding preventive advice.
Ends/Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:54
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