Legionnaires’ disease in Hong Kong: what is it, who is at risk, and how do we prevent it?
- Outbreak on housing estate in Tseung Kwan O a reminder that the potentially fatal illness is always a risk
Since late November, three people with links to a Tseung Kwan O housing estate have been diagnosed with a severe form of pneumonia called legionnaires’ disease. The health scare has put residents in the area on alert against the potentially deadly bacteria that carry the disease, and came as a reminder of how the illness made headlines in Hong Kong a few years ago.
The two male patients were still in a critical condition on Friday night, according to the Hospital Authority. The woman had been discharged.
The fact that such an outbreak could happen in a new and expensive block has highlighted that the city, in general, lacks awareness of the disease. So, should we be worried about an even bigger outbreak, and how should we protect ourselves?
What is legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by bacteria called legionella pneumophila, which is found in water and soil, and causes severe lung inflammation.
People infected with the disease usually develop symptoms two to 10 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, headaches, muscle pain, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. In severe cases, neurological symptoms such as confusion and respiratory failure may appear.