The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is one of the most up-to-date and transparent health departments in the world and a very public about infectious disease investigations in the city. Here are some of the latest issues in Hong Kong today:

Hong Kong/CIA
Hong Kong/CIA

Legionnaires’ disease

The CHP is currently investigating another case of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) involving a 59-year-old man.

The patient, with underlying diseases, has presented with fever, cough and shortness of breath since April 6. He sought medical attention from private doctors on April 7 and 9, and was admitted to a private hospital on April 12.

His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is currently in a stable condition.

His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon testing by the hospital.

Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had travelled to Panyu, Guangdong from April 2 to 5. His travel collaterals and home contacts remain asymptomatic. Investigations are proceeding.

This is the eighth LD case reported to the CHP this year. In 2014 and 2013, 41 and 28 cases were recorded respectively.

Invasive meningococcal disease

An 89-year-old man living in an elderly home in Kowloon City has contracted a confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection, according to the CHP.

Health officials say he has underlying illnesses and presented with fever and cough with sputum since April 10. He was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) on the same day. His clinical diagnosis is sepsis and his current condition is serious.

The blood specimen taken from the patient by KWH grew Neisseria meningitidis.

Preliminary investigation by the CHP showed that the patient had no recent travel history. The CHP has distributed chemoprophylaxis to close contacts in the elderly home.

The CHP’s investigation is continuing.

This is the second confirmed case of invasive meningococcal infection reported to the CHP this year. Five cases were filed in 2014 and three in 2013.

Influenza update

Good news on the influenza front in Hong Kong as no additional cases of influenza-associated admissions to an intensive care unit or death among adults aged 18 or above had been recorded during the past 24 hours.

Hong Kong has had a rough winter flu season this year recording 621 severe flu cases requiring ICU admission, including 479 deaths since the beginning of the year.