United Christian Hospital responds to case of Legionnaires’ disease

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following reply today (November 29) regarding a Legionella infection case:

     A 75-year-old male patient who had stayed in a medical and geriatric ward of UCH was confirmed to have Legionnaires' Disease. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) visited the ward and collected water samples today. The source of infection is still under investigation. The patient was admitted to UCH on November 12. His condition continued to deteriorate and eventually succumbed on November 25.

     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and enhanced infection control measures, including:
 

1. suspending use of related basin faucets and shower heads;
2. installing bacterial filters with specifications for related water faucets and arranging to disinfect the related water supply system; and
3. providing boiled or bottled water to patients in the wards concerned for drinking and mouth rinsing.

     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP to investigate the source of infection.