Investigation Underway for Hospital-Acquired Legionnaires' Disease Case in Hong Kong

DH investigates hospital-acquired case of Legionnaires' disease

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (July 10) it is investigating a nosocomial (i.e. hospital-acquired) Legionnaires' disease (LD) case, and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

The case involves an 89-year-old male. He has been hospitalised at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH) since April 1 for his underlying illnesses, during which he occasionally experienced symptoms such as sputum production and shortness of breath. His shortness of breath worsened on July 6, prompting hospital staff to collect a respiratory specimen on the same day. The specimen collected tested positive for Legionella pneumophila (non-serogroup 1) by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch under the CHP. The patient's condition improved following antibiotic treatment and is currently in stable condition.

Since the patient was hospitalised at HKSH throughout the incubation period (from June 26 to July 4), the CHP considered that this is a nosocomial case and conducted an environmental investigation at the hospital in order to determine the source of the infection.

A preliminary investigation revealed that, the patient had been admitted to a single-occupancy room in the general ward during the incubation period. The CHP collected 10 water samples and six environmental samples from the water tanks of the concerned building and the patient's ward. The results of laboratory testing are pending.

The CHP has instructed HKSH to suspend the use of the shower rooms in the ward concerned, thoroughly disinfect the water supply systems of the concerned ward and install bacterial filters as soon as possible. The CHP has also provided the hospital with health advice and medical surveillance recommendations, and will continue to closely monitor the implementation of these measures.

In addition, the CHP is arranging for other patients who were hospitalised on the same floor as the patient during the same period to undergo medical surveillance. No additional LD cases have been identified among them so far.

The CHP's investigation and follow-up work are ongoing.

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, whirlpool spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or ships.

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, whirlpool spas, water fountains, humidifiers and home respiratory devices 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:

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

The public should observe the health advice below:

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) or less and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

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.

Additionally, as smokers and alcoholics are more susceptible to LD, the Government urgesmembers of the public to quit smoking and avoid drinking. Members of the public may call the DH Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, which is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referral to a wide range of free smoking cessation services. The public may also visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation. The DH has also developed and promulgated the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention tool to primary healthcare service providers to facilitate the early identification and management of at-riskdrinkers. For information on alcohol-related harm, please visit the DH'sChange for Health website.

Source: AI-found images

Government announces quarterly land sale programme for July to September 2026

The Government announced today (July 10) the quarterly land sale programme for the second quarter of 2026-27, i.e. July to September 2026.

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said in terms of the Government land sale in the second quarter of 2026-27, the Government will put up for tender a residential site at Fat Kwong Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon. The site is able to provide floor space of around 19 300 square metres and can provide around 250 flats. It is selected from the Annual Land Sale List announced in February this year and is situated in a mature urban neighbourhood with comprehensive surrounding facilities and traffic network. The rezoning procedures for the site from "Government, Institution or Community" use to "Residential" use have recently been completed. Furthermore, the tender for three residential sites located in the large-scale land disposal pilot area in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area was closed on July 3, and they are expected to provide around 3 120 flats in total. Taken altogether, Government land sale in this quarter is capable of providing around 3 370 flats.

Other residential land supply this quarter will include MTR Corporation Limited's Tuen Mun A16 Station (Package 2) development project which is estimated to supply around 5 510 flats; and the Urban Renewal Authority's Bailey Street/Chi Kiang Street, Hung Hom project launched on July 3 and capable of providing around 1 220 flats. As for private development and redevelopment projects, three projects are expected to complete lease modification procedures in the second quarter, providing a total supply of around 90 flats.

Ms Linn said, "Taking all sources of land supply into account, the total private housing land supply in the second quarter of this financial year would support the development of around 10 190 units. Together with the supply from the first quarter, the total private housing land supply of the first half of this financial year is expected to support some 12 430 units, which is very close to the annual target of private housing supply for this financial year (12 600 units). This figure has not yet reflected private redevelopment projects not requiring lease modification from the second quarter, as such figures are only available at a later stage. The supply target for the financial year is likely to be achieved shortly because of the need for the Government to spearhead development in the Northern Metropolis or railway property development projects in a timely manner taking into account the overall land and infrastructure development strategy. Together with more active transactions in the private market, developers are more proactive in bidding for land or engaging in private development projects."

As regards the private housing land supply for 2025-26, taking into account new private development and redevelopment projects in the fourth quarter, the actual supply is adjusted upwards to around 16 865 flats, which exceeds the supply target for that financial year by around 28 per cent.

The Government will continue to sustain its effort in rolling out land in a prudent and pragmatic manner, and flexibly adjust the land disposal strategy according to market situation, in order to meet the development needs of society.

The site to be tendered in July to September 2026 is in the Annex. The actual tender timetable will be drawn up taking into account the progress of necessary preparatory work. The Lands Department will announce the detailed land sale arrangements before individual sites are put up for tender.

Source: AI-found images