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Legionnaires' Disease Cases Prompt Caution: Proper Water System Maintenance Urged

HK

Legionnaires' Disease Cases Prompt Caution: Proper Water System Maintenance Urged
HK

HK

Legionnaires' Disease Cases Prompt Caution: Proper Water System Maintenance Urged

2024-08-05 19:50 Last Updated At:08-06 00:17

Update on cases of Legionnaires' disease

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 5) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

From July 28 to August 3, the CHP recorded one imported LD case and one community-acquired LD case:

Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any.

Furthermore, the CHP is investigating a case of LD in Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong. The male patient, aged 82 with underlying illnesses, was admitted to Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong on July 8 after receiving a surgery at Kwong Wah Hospital on June 27. He presented with lethargy and cough on July 26, and he developed a fever starting July 28. He was transferred to Kwong Wah Hospital for further management on July 30 due to persistent fever and deteriorated condition. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is currently in stable condition.

His sputum specimen tested positive for Legionella species upon laboratory testing. Initial enquiries revealed that the patient stayed at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong without any travel history during the incubation period.

"Epidemiological investigations with Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs were collected from potential sources for laboratory testing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

Tracing of contacts including staff and in-patients in the relevant ward is ongoing, and those identified will be put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and in-patients, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing. An investigation is ongoing.

As of August 3, 62 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2023 and 2022, there were 121 and 80 cases respectively.

"Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.

Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

Immunocompromised persons should:

The public should observe the health advice below:

​​​The public may visit the CHP'sLD page, theCode of Practice for Prevention of LDand theHousekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Managementof the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP'srisk-based strategyfor prevention and control of LD.

Source: AI-generated images

Source: AI-generated images

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 21) detected three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected etomidate (the main ingredient of "space oil drug"), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, and suspected dangerous drugs by outgoing passengers at the Lo Wu Control Point, the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) and the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. A total of four suspected "space oil drug" capsules, one vape stick containing suspected "space oil drug", 1.4 grams of suspected ketamine and 12.63 grams of suspected cocaine were seized.

The first case involved a local male passenger, aged 40, who went to the Mainland via the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, two suspected "space oil drug" capsules were found in his briefcase and 1.4g of suspected ketamine was found inside the underpants the man was wearing. He was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 23-year-old Mainland female passenger. The woman departed for the Mainland via the West Kowloon Station of the XRL yesterday. During customs clearance, one vape stick containing suspected "space oil drug" was found. She was then arrested.

The third case involved a local female passenger, aged 31, who went to the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, two suspected "space oil drug" capsules and 12.63g of suspected cocaine were found in her handbag and underwear. She was then arrested.

The man in the first case has been released on bail pending further investigation. The arrested woman of the second case has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison and the case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 23). The arrested woman of the third case has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drugs and the case will be brought up at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, any person who possesses any dangerous drug commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for seven years. Any person who traffics any dangerous drug commits an offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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