The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ Disease.

The patient is a 74-year-old man who lived in Shenzhen. He presented with cough and sputum since December 16. He returned to Hong Kong on December 18 and was found collapsed on the way.

The patient was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was admitted on the same day. He was transferred to the intensive care unit for further management on December 21. He is now in critical condition.

Urine tests revealed that the patient was infected with Legionella bacteria. Investigation is on-going.

A total of 20 cases of Legionnaires’ Disease have been reported to CHP this year. Thirty-seven cases were reported in 2009, 13 were filed in 2008 and 11 in 2007.

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