Hong Kong, Case of Legionnaires' Disease investigated (August 24 2012)

[Giuseppe]

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

Case of Legionnaires' Disease investigated


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 24) investigating a case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 68-year-old man.

The patient, who had chronic illness, presented with fever, shortness of breath, cough, chills and rigor on August 18. He was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital the next day. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on August 20. He is now in a critical condition.

His urine sample tested positive for serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophilia antigen.

The patient had no recent travel history. His home contact was asymptomatic. Investigation is in progress.

This is the 20th case of Legionnaires' Disease reported to the CHP this year. Seventeen cases were filed in 2011, 20 in 2010 and 37 in 2009.

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


Ends/Friday, August 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:23
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, Case of Legionnaires' Disease investigated (August 24 2012)

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

Update on CHP's investigation into Legionnaires' Disease case


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 3) provided an update on its investigation into an earlier case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) involving a 68-year-old man.

The patient, who had a chronic medical condition, had onset of fever, cough and shortness of breath on August 18 and was diagnosed as having Legionnaires' Disease on August 24.

During the incubation period, besides staying at home, the patient had stayed for a few days in two wards of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH).

In relation to the investigation of the possible source of infection of this case, the CHP collected water samples and environment samples from the hospital and the patient's residence.

Preliminary laboratory results for three out of eight pairs of water samples taken from water outlets in two wards of PYNEH where the patient had stayed during the incubation period revealed the presence of Legionella species (Group-one Legionella pneumophila), the bacteria linked to LD. The levels ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 cfu/ml, and this may change over the next few days when final laboratory results become available.

"Up till now, no Legionella pneumophila was detected in the water samples at the water tank of the hospital, nor at the patient's residence. Laboratory testing is ongoing. As Legionella bacteria can be widely found in the environment, we cannot establish at this juncture a causal relationship between the case and the preliminary laboratory finding in the hospital water samples. Further laboratory investigation, including genetic characterisation, is needed to draw a more solid conclusion on the source of infection," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Centre and PYNEH are enhancing medical surveillance in wards where the patient stayed. So far, no additional cases have been identified.

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 PYNEH on appropriate follow-up measures, including the suspension of related water supply facilities for disinfection. PYNEH has also stepped up relevant infection control measures.

The patient's current condition is stable.

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

Proper design, operation and maintenance of man-made water systems can prevent LD. For more information, please visit the website of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department for the Code of Practice issued by the Prevention of LD Committee (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ld_pub_cp.shtml).


Ends/Monday, September 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:50
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[Giuseppe]

Re: Hong Kong, Case of Legionnaires' Disease investigated (August 24 2012)

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

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


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has provided an update on its investigation into a case of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) involving a 68-year-old man.

The latest laboratory results available today (September 4) revealed that the isolate from the patient has different genetic characteristics from the isolates obtained from the water outlets of the two wards at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH). This suggests that the source of infection of the patient is not likely to be from these wards.

The patient, with an underlying medical condition, was diagnosed as having Legionnaires' Disease on August 24.

Besides staying at home, the patient had also stayed a few days in two wards at PYNEH during the incubation period.

Earlier, the CHP's preliminary laboratory results on three out of eight water samples taken from water outlets in the two wards where the patient had stayed revealed the presence of Legionella species (Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1).

No Legionella pneumophila was detected in the water samples at the water tank of the hospital, nor at the patient's residence.

The patient is now in a stable condition. The CHP's investigation continues.

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

The proper design, operation and maintainance of man-made water systems can prevent LD. For more information, please visit the website of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department for the Code of Practice issued by the Prevention of LD Committee (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/oa_ld_pub_cp.shtml).


Ends/Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:11
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