Macau reported its sixth Legionnaires’ disease case of the year yesterday, as announced by a Health Bureau (SSM) statement.
The patient, a 70-year-old local woman, developed a fever and cough on Sunday and was initially treated for influenza A with antiviral medication, the statement said.
She collapsed at home on Tuesday and was subsequently taken to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre by ambulance, where she was scanned for pneumonia and diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The statement underlined that she had not travelled abroad during the incubation period, is currently hospitalised, and her condition is stable.
The statement noted that people can be infected with Legionnaires’ disease after inhaling mist contaminated with Legionella bacteria released by artificial water systems such as central air-conditioning systems’ cooling towers, jacuzzis, fountains, and household respiratory medical devices.
The statement underlined that people normally will not be infected with the disease after drinking water contaminated with the bacteria.
The statement noted that symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease consist of fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, and that early administration of antibiotics is effective in treating Legionnaires’ disease.
Image courtesy of SMS Environmental
