The Government is investigating the cases of three visitors who have tested positive in Hong Kong for Legionnaires’ disease, were on respective visits to Macao during the standard incubation period for their condition.
On being informed by the Hong Kong authorities about the cases, the Health Bureau immediately ordered a complete cleaning and sterilisation of all spas, pools and water systems at the Parisian Hotel, in Cotai, where the three patients stayed during their respective visits. The Bureau also asked the hotel to take additional preventative measures.
The Bureau has taken water samples from the water systems at the hotel, for further examination and expected the results of the tests to be released in 10 days, according to a press release issued by the Bureau on Saturday evening (22 April).
The Bureau was notified on Friday (21 April), by the health authorities in Hong Kong, about the cases. Information they provided indicated the presence in the three patients of Legionella pneumophila bacteria that carried identical genetic sequencing.
One patient had stayed in the hotel in January, developing symptoms the same month. Another had been at the property in March, also showing symptoms that same month. The third patient had stayed at the hotel in late December 2016, and developed symptoms in January.
Macao has recorded only one case of Legionnaires’ disease during the past decade. That was in 2010.
Legionellae can be found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water, namely that at 20 to 45 degrees Celsius. They can be found in water systems, such as cooling towers, hot and cold water systems, whirlpools and spas, water fountains, and home apparatus that support breathing.
Any person can be at risk of developing Legionnaires' disease. Males, the elderly, smokers, those people with a high intake of alcohol, and people with weakened immune systems – especially those with chronic diseases – are at higher risk than others. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
The Health Bureau urges members of the public to observe closely the following measures, in order to reduce the risk of acquiring infection:
- Use properly – and maintain on a frequent basis – water supply systems;
- Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
- Properly maintain domestic water filters and change filters periodically, and;
- Consult advice from doctors when using breathing-support apparatus at home.
Hotels and other establishments should heed the following advice:
- Clean and sterilise water cooling towers periodically;
- Install water dispensers to reduce the risk of spreading the disease via water supply from cooling towers;
- Use disinfectant in whirlpools and water fountains; and clean and disinfect them weekly;
- Hot water should be kept above 50 degrees Celsius while cold water should be lower than 20 degrees Celsius; or use disinfectant to control breeding of bacteria; and;
- Remove stagnant water in taps on a weekly basis.