Tuen Mun Hospital’s reply on a Legionella infection case

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     In response to the announcement by the Centre for Health Protection regarding a Legionella infection case, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) gave the following reply today (July 16):
      
     Since there was one more patient, who had stayed in a surgical ward at TMH, was confirmed to have the Legionnaires' Disease, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) visited the concerned ward again and collected water samples today. The source of infection for the patient is still undergoing investigation. The 45-year-old male patient with underlying disease was admitted to TMH on June 25 and had been staying in the same ward with two Legionella infection cases being announced on June 26 and 30. The patient is now in critical condition due to his underlying disease.
          
     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 the use of related basin faucets;
3. Arranging cleansing and disinfection at water tanks and pipes; and
4. 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 healthcare 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.