The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease affecting a 60-year-old man who was earlier admitted to Hong Kong Baptist Hospital.
Water and environment samples were collected from the hospital and the man’s residence to test for Legionella.
Four out of 10 pairs of water samples taken in the hospital tested positive for Legionella pneumophila, as did three out of five environment swabs collected.
All samples collected from the patient's residence tested negative for the bacteria.
The centre visited the hospital today and advised on the disinfection of the relevant water system. It also recommended the installation of filters to the shower heads of the affected ward, and to provide boiled water for in-patients' drinking and mouth rinsing.
As Legionella can be found in various environment settings, a causal relationship between the case and the laboratory findings cannot be established. Further investigation is underway to determine the source of infection as far as possible, the centre said.
The centre has enhanced medical surveillance in the ward to which the patient was earlier admitted, and has not identified any additional cases.
