A 71-year-old male patient has died of Legionnaires' disease at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Medical Centre. The patient was admitted to the hospital in October and November and was readmitted in November with symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. An investigation by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) found that eight out of 12 water samples in the building tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen (Lp1), and the genetic sequence of the patient's sample matched that of the water sample. The case is suspected to be a possible nosocomial infection. The CHP has advised the hospital to suspend the water supply system of the affected area and conduct disinfection. They are also tracing patients who were admitted to the ward and cubicle during the specified period. The CHP will continue to monitor the implementation of measures and conduct epidemiological investigations. Legionnaires' disease is caused by Legionella bacteria commonly found in warm water environments and can be transmitted through contaminated droplets or mist generated by water systems.
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