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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 18) investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 62-year-old man.
The patient, with chronic illness, presented including chest pain, shortness of breath, cough with sputum and fever on December 14, and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day. He further developed respiratory failure and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on December 16. He is currently in a critical condition.
His tracheal aspirate tested positive for Legionella bacteria.
The patient travelled to Guangdong Province in December. His family contact is asymptomatic. Investigations by the CHP are under way.
This is the 27th case of Legionnaires' Disease reported to the CHP this year. Seventeen cases were filed in 2011, 20 in 2010 and 37 in 2009.
For further information on Legionnaires' Disease and preventive advice, the public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:46
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