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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 23) reminded people and building managements to take precautionary measures, including maintaining good hygiene of water tanks, domestic water filters and home respiratory equipment, to prevent Legionnaires' Disease (LD).
The appeal was made following the joint investigation by the CHP and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) into a confirmed LD case involving a 66-year-old man reported to the CHP on February 9. The patient passed away in Queen Mary Hospital on February 8.
Laboratory tests on environmental samples taken from the patient's home in Kowloon City have found positive growth of Legionnella pneumophila (a bacteria causing LD) from the swab of container and water samples of the oxygen respirator used by the patient as well as the water sample from the kitchen tap water filter.
A spokesman for the CHP said: "We are closely monitoring the situation. Further investigation is on-going to establish the linkage with the patient's illness because Legionella pneumophila is known to exist in water systems.
"As a precautionary measure, the management of the building where the patient lived was advised to cleanse the water tank as soon as possible.
"CHP will also arrange a health talk for the residents of the concerned building.
"A telephone hotline 2125 1133 has been set up to answer public enquiries concerning LD and proper use of home respiratory therapy equipment. The hotline will operate until 9pm today, and from 9am to 5pm tomorrow and Sunday.
"The CHP will send a letter to all doctors in Hong Kong about the situation and remind them to advise patients on the proper use of home respiratory therapy equipment."
To prevent Legionnaire's Disease, the management of buildings and people are advised to take the following preventive measures:
* Cleanse water tanks of buildings regularly.
* If domestic water filters are used, they should be properly maintained and changed regularly to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
* If home respiratory therapy equipment is used, they should only be rinsed and filled with sterile (not distilled) water. Sterile water is available for purchase in some drug stores in Hong Kong.
* An individual may become less vulnerable to the disease by avoiding smoking and excessive drinking, and maintaining good health.
There have been two LD case reported so far this year. Two LD cases were reported in 2000, three in 2001, four in 2002, three in 2003, three in 2004, 11 in 2005 and 16 in 2006.
Legionnaires' Disease is principally manifested as pneumonia and presents with fever, unproductive cough, dyspnoea, malaise, headache, myalgia, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
The incubation period of the disease is from two to 10 days and it can be treated with antibiotics. There is no evidence that the disease is transmitted by person-to-person contact or by eating or drinking.
Further information on LD and preventive tips can be found in CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) and the website of EMSD (http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/e_download/pps/code.doc).
Ends/Friday, February 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:55
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