The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday that a 48-year-old local woman has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease (aka Legionellosis), becoming this year’s first reported local case.
According to the statement, the patient developed a fever and cough last Sunday, so she sought outpatient treatment at a private medical institution. Her symptoms continued, so she went to the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) Hospital for treatment on Monday, the statement said.
The statement added that her chest CT scan showed pneumonia in the lower part of her right lung, while her urine samples tested positive for Legionella pneumophila urinary antigens.
The patient, who was undergoing inpatient treatment at the MUST University Hospital, was in stable condition yesterday, the statement said.
During the latent period before the onset of the illness, the statement said, the patient and her family members travelled to Hong Kong and Guangzhou, but they did not stay in either place, and her family members who live with her have not show similar symptoms.
The statement pointed out that Legionellosis, with an incubation period of between two and 10 days, is an infectious disease caused by Legionella bacteria thriving in warm water between 20 and 45 degrees Celsius and in warm and moist places, such as artificial water systems including massage pools, fountains, and household respiratory medical equipment.
The statement underlined that males, senior citizens, smokers, drinkers and those with weakened immune systems, especially those with chronic medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, chronic lung or kidney disease, and patients receiving steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs are at increased risk of catching the disease.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, according to the statement.
Image courtesy of California Department of Public Health
