Hong Kong office hit by Legionnaires' disease bacteria

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/hong-kong-office-hit-by-deadly-bug/story-fn6ck55c-1226236083544

Courier Mail

Hong Kong office hit by deadly bug

* From: AFP
* January 04, 2012 1:56AM

BACTERIA that cause Legionnaires' disease have been found in the new Hong Kong government complex.

The bacteria were discovered at several sites after one minister fell ill, in a major embarrassment for the authorities.

The health department said yesterday nine water samples taken from various places in the buildings, including the chief executive's office, tested positive for Legionella, which causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia.

The checks at the HK$5.5 billion ($621 million) brand new harbourfront complex, which opened in August last year, were prompted after Education Minister Michael Suen came down with the potentially fatal illness...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong office hit by Legionnaires' disease bacteria

Source: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=118507&sid=34958618&con_type=1

Bacteria backlash
Diana Lee and Rio Lau
Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Fear that a deadly disease is lurking in the sparkling new government headquarters at Tamar has taken hold among civil servants and other workers...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong office hit by Legionnaires' disease bacteria

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2012-01/10/content_14410557.htm

Investigators find cause for Legionnaire's outbreak
Updated: 2012-01-10 08:09
By Kahon Chan (HK Edition)

Stagnant water in pipes identified as source of infection

Independent review of findings into the discovery of Legionellosis at the new government complex has concluded that warm and stagnant water in pipes had become the breeding ground for the potentially lethal bacteria. Investigators also concluded the problem had nothing to do with the design of the new complex or procedural flaws.

A medical specialist however says that more can be done to protect the public from occurrences of the bacteria apart from asking people to run tap water well before use.

Five more samples taken from the Tamar complex before intense disinfection was undertaken, tested positive for Legionellosis. One of the infected samples was taken from the private bathroom of the chief secretary. But a post-disinfection check confirmed all but one of the 227 samples tested found no bacteria...