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The water samples were retrieved from different points of the airport’s drinking water supply system. Photo: EPA

Bacteria found in Hong Kong airport water supplies in probe sparked by Cathay Pacific scare

Traces of coliform bacteria have been detected in water tankers at Hong Kong International Airport in an investigation sparked by unsatisfactory samples taken from Cathay Pacific planes, the Department of Health said.

Traces of coliform bacteria have been detected in water tankers at Hong Kong International Airport in an investigation sparked by unsatisfactory samples taken from Cathay Pacific planes last week, the Department of Health said today.

The department said the bacteria – which is from the same genus as E coli and can cause diarrhoea and other dysenteric symptoms – was not present in sufficient quantities to pose a health risk.

“The very trace amount of coliform bacteria detected in the two samples from water tankers suggests a suboptimal standard of water quality, which may be likely contributable by the hygienic condition of the water tankers,” a spokesman for the Department of Health said.

The department said no E Coli was detected in the samples, which were retrieved from different points of the airport’s drinking water supply system, and thus there was “no immediate health risk to travellers and crew members”.

The Port Health Office under the department conducted an investigation with Cathay, the Airport Authority and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co (Haeco) after unsatisfactory water samples, in which coliform bacteria was also detected, were collected from 14 of the airline’s planes last week.

A total of 39 samples were collected from five water outlets of three filling points, 19 water tankers and three aircraft of other airlines.

A level of one unit of coliform bacteria per 100 millilitres of water was detected in one of the water tankers operated by Haeco, which was one of the four tankers that had filled the affected aircraft.

A level of two units of coliform bacteria per 100 millilitres of water was also detected in one of the two water tankers operated by Pan Asia Pacific Aviation Services.

The two water tankers have been suspended from operation and will be disinfected. Tests will be arranged afterwards.

Cleaning and disinfection of water tankers of all 14 affected Cathay aircraft has been completed. The Port Health Office is working with Cathay to examine water quality of the aircraft after disinfection.

The Centre for Health Protection has not received any food poisoning cases related to consumption of water in aircraft.

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