Siu Lam Hospital’s reply on a Legionella infection case

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     In response to media enquiries regarding a Legionella infection case, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital (SLH) has the following reply today (August 6):
      
     One more 25-year-old patient who had stayed in a male ward for severe intellectual disability at SLH was confirmed with Legionnaires' Disease (LD). The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) will collect water samples from the hospital and the source of infection for the patient is still undergoing investigation. The patient is in stable condition.
          
     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and infection control improvement measures, including:
 
1.   Suspending the use of related basin faucets;
2.   Installing bacterial filters on basin faucets and shower heads;
3.   Arranging cleansing and disinfection at water tanks and pipes;
4.   Providing patients with distilled water for drinking; and
5.   After communicating with the CHP, the hospital will continue to implement clinical surveillance for all patients in the ward.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. In addition to the above precautionary and improvement measures, the hospital has reminded all healthcare staff to be vigilant and continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP in the investigation of the source of infection.