Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

[Giuseppe]

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case


21 December 2011


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 21) investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 67-year-old man.

The patient, with underlying illnesses, presented with fever, cough, shortness of breath and malaise since December 16. He was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on December 18 and was transferred to Intensive Care Unit the next day. He is in stable condition now.

Test on his nasopharyngeal aspirate specimen revealed that the patient was infected with Legionella bacteria.

He had travelled to the Mainland between December 10 and 11. His close contacts were asymptomatic. Investigation is in progress.


Information on Legionnaires' Disease and advice on prevention can be found at the CHP's website, www.chp.gov.hk.

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Update on CHP's investigation into Legionnaires' Disease case


28 December 2011


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 28) provided an update on its investigation into an earlier confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) involving a 67-year-old man.

A spokesman for the CHP said that preliminary laboratory results on the water samples taken from the water tap at a private washroom inside the patient's office showed the presence of Legionella species (Group-one Legionella pneumophila), the bacteria linked to LD.

No Legionella pneumophila was detected in the water samples taken from the water tank of the same office building, nor at the patient's residence.

"The present laboratory results are preliminary.Final laboratory results are needed to draw a more solid conclusion to the source of infection,' the spokesman said.

As a precautionary measure, CHP together with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Water Supplies Department and the Architectural Services Department, have collected more water samples from the office building to conduct further tests today.

"The Centre has advised the building's management office on appropriate follow up actions including disinfection and risk mitigation measures," the spokesman said.

The patient had been admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on December 18 and is now in stable condition. Investigation continues.

Legionella bacteria are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (25 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environment such as water tanks, cooling towers, whirlpool and spas, water fountains and apparatus that support breathing. Design, operate and maintain man-made water systems properly could prevent LD.


For more information about the good practices in handling man-made water systems, please visit EMSD's website for the Code of Practice issued by the Prevention of Legionnaires' Disease Committee.

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Further update on CHP's investigation into Legionnaires' Disease case


2 January 2012


A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (January 2) that final laboratory results on the water samples taken from the water tap at a private washroom inside a 67-year-old male patient's office confirmed the preliminary ones announced earlier, with the level of Legionella species (including Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1) to range from 0.7 to 14.2 cfu/ml.

Legionnaires' Disease (LD) is usually caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1.

No Legionella bacteria was detected in the water samples collected at the water tank of the same building, suggesting that the water source is free from contamination.

Water samples collected at the patient's residence were all negative for Legionella bacteria.

According to international standards, immediate control measures including disinfection should be taken when the levels for Legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems exceed 0.1 -1 cfu/ml.

"The CHP has advised the building's management office on appropriate follow up actions including disinfection and risk mitigation measures.

"Disinfection of the office building by the Architectural Services Department will be completed early tomorrow morning.The CHP will subsequently collect post-disinfection water samples tomorrow," the spokesman said.

Legionella bacteria are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (25 to 40 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, cooling towers, whirlpool and spas, water fountains and apparatus that support breathing. Proper design, operation and maintenance of man-made water systems could prevent LD.

For more information about proper design, operation and maintenance of man-made water systems, please visit the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk) for the Code of Practice issued by the Prevention of LD Committee.


Investigation continues.

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Update on Legionella pneumophila laboratory results


3 January 2012


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 3) provided an update on the preliminary laboratory results on the water samples taken from various sites in the office buildings in connection with a confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) involving a 67-year-old male patient.

Among the 31 samples taken earlier, samples covering nine locations tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

The positive samples were collected from the private washrooms of the Chief Executive's Office, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (24/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices (CGO)), the Secretary for Labour and Welfare (10/F, West Wing, CGO), the Secretary for the Civil Service (9/F, West Wing, CGO), the Secretary for Transport and Housing (22/F, East Wing, CGO) and the Secretary for Security (10/F, East Wing, CGO).

The remaining positive water samples came from other sites, namely the water taps of the kitchens of CGO's Canteen on 1/F and the Dining Hall in the Legislative Council Building, and a tap at the food counter in the bakery on the 2/F podium outside the East Wing.

"The present laboratory results are preliminary. Final laboratory results are pending," a CHP spokesman said.

The CHP has advised the building's management office on appropriate follow-up actions including disinfection and risk mitigation measures. Post-disinfection water samples will be taken later for further tests.


The investigation is continuing.

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[Tonka]

Re: Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

http://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/vida/2012/01/03/detetada-bacteria-da-doenca-do-legionario-na-sede-do-governo-de-hong-kong

Portuguese-English translation

Detected Legionnaire's disease bacteria in the seat of Government of Hong Kong

The legionella bacteria, which causes that causes Legionnaire's disease was detected in water samples taken from the Office of the Chief Executive and other secretaries in the new seat of government and the complex of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Centre for Health Protection and Control of the former British colony, Thomas Tsang, said the legionella bacteria was detected in nine of 31 samples of water from the bathrooms of the new seat of government, valued at $ 670 million (66 , 3 million).

The tests were performed after the Secretary for Education of Hong Kong, Michael Suen, have been diagnosed with the disease. According to authorities, the levels of bacteria detected in his new office were 14 times higher than values considered acceptable.

According to Thomas Tsang said Friday, the Chief Executive as well as other offices of the secretaries and other staff can work normally in that work will be carried out disinfection and installed water filters to catch the bacteria.

Thomas Tsang said that the discovery does not mean that Hong Kong is before an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease, increasing the infection depends on the level of bacteria and how each person reacts to the disease.

The first signs of illness can include high fever, chills and cough

[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

One more water sample preliminarily tests positive for Legionella pneumophila


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 4) revealed that one more water sample taken from the office buildings in connection with a confirmed Legionnaires' Disease (LD) case involving a 67-year-old male patient has tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

The latest positive sample came from the private washroom of the Secretary for Home Affairs, located at 12/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices (CGO). The sample was collected before cleansing and disinfection measures were taken at CGO.

A CHP spokesman said, "The result only became available today as it took time for the LD bacteria to grow in culture tests on the sample collected."

Testing for the remaining water samples collected at various sites at CGO before thorough disinfection is still underway.

The spokesman said that the present laboratory results are preliminary and final results are pending.

The investigation is continuing.


Ends/Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:44

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Two more pre-disinfection water samples test positive for Legionella pneumophila in preliminary testing


5 January 2012


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 5) reported that two more water samples taken before cleansing and disinfection of office buildings in connection with a confirmed Legionnaires' Disease (LD) case involving a 67-year-old male patient had tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

The latest positive samples came from water taps in the kitchen of the Conference Hall, located at 2/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices (CGO), and also in the pantry located at 3/F of the Legislative Council Complex.

Before disinfection, seven and 31 water samples covering 36 locations had been taken at various sites at CGO for analysis on December 28 and 29 respectively.

A CHP spokesman said, "The results of the above two samples only became available today as it took time for the LD bacteria to grow in culture tests on the samples collected. The present laboratory results are preliminary and final results are pending."


Testing of the remaining water samples collected at various sites at CGO before thorough disinfection is still underway.
The investigation is continuing.

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Another pre-disinfection water sample preliminarily tests positive for Legionella pneumophila


6 January 2012


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 6) reported that one more water sample, taken before cleansing and disinfection of office buildings following a confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD), involving a 67-year-old male patient, has tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

The latest positive sample came from the washroom of the Financial Secretary's Private Office, located on 25/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices (CGO).

A CHP spokesman said, "The result of the above sample only became available today as it took time for the LD bacteria to grow in culture tests on the sample collected. The present laboratory result is preliminary and the final result is pending."

Testing is still underway of the remaining water samples collected at various sites at CGO before thorough disinfection.


The investigation continues.

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, CHP investigates a Legionnaires' Disease case (December 21 2011)

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Final laboratory results of Legionella pneumophila in pre-disinfection water samples


9 January 2012


A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (January 9) that the final laboratory results of the water samples taken before cleansing and disinfection from 18 locations of office buildings in connection with a confirmed Legionnaires' Disease (LD) case involving a 67-year-old male patient were available today, with levels of Legionella species (including Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1) ranging from 0.7 to 13 cfu/ml.

Apart from the preliminary positive results of water samples covering 13 locations announced last week, there were five more water samples taken before disinfection from other five locations that tested positive for Legionella pneumophila. The latest positive samples came from the private washrooms of the Chief Secretary for Administration's Private Office (25/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices (CGO)) and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (22/F, West Wing, CGO), and three public toilets for male, female and the disabled on the 10/F , East Wing, CGO.

Last week the CHP reported that samples taken before disinfection from 13 locations preliminarily tested positive for Legionella pneumophila. These positive samples were collected from the private washrooms of the Chief Executive's Office, the Financial Secretary's Private Office (25/F, West Wing, CGO), the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (24/F, West Wing, CGO), the Secretary for Labour and Welfare (10/F, West Wing, CGO), the Secretary for Civil Service (9/F, West Wing, CGO), the Secretary for Transport and Housing (22/F, East Wing, CGO), the Secretary for Security (10/F, East Wing, CGO) and the Secretary for Home Affairs (12/F, West Wing, CGO).

The remaining positive water samples announced last week came from other sites, namely the water taps of the kitchens of the CGO's Canteen on the 1/F and the Conference Hall on 2/F, West Wing; the water taps of the kitchen of the Dining Hall on the 1/F and the pantry on the 3/F of the Legislative Council Complex; and a tap at the food counter in the bakery on the 2/F podium outside East Wing.

Legionnaires' Disease (LD) is usually caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1.

According to international standards, immediate control measures including disinfection should be taken when the levels for Legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems exceed 0.1-1 cfu/ml.

Legionella bacteria are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (25 to 40 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, cooling towers, whirlpool and spas, water fountains and in apparatus that support breathing.


Before disinfection, seven and 31 water samples covering 36 locations were taken at various sites at CGO for analysis on December 28 and 29 respectively. Testing of all these water samples has been completed.

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