The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to media enquiries regarding a Legionella infection case, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) has the following reply today (26 Jun):
A 77-year-old male patient who had stayed in a surgical ward of TMH confirmed to have the Legionnaires' Disease. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) visited the ward and collected water samples from the hospital today. The source of infection for the patient is still undergoing investigation. The patient is in critical condition. Medical surveillance will be performed to the patients who have been staying in the involved ward during the period of time.
The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and infection control improvement measures, including:
1. Installing bacterial filters on basin faucets and shower heads;
2. Suspending use of related basin faucets;
3. After communicating with the CHP, the hospital has implemented clinical surveillance of the 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 medical and nursing staff to be vigilant and continue to closely monitor the situation on the ward. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP in the investigation of the source of infection.
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