Legionella bacteria found in CE's office

January 02, 2012

Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease, has been found in water samples taken from the Chief Executive's Office and various bureau secretaries’ offices in the new Government headquarters and in the Legislative Council Complex at Tamar.
 
Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang said nine water samples containing Legionella bacteria were found. Testing was conducted after Secretary for Education Michael Suen recently came down with Legionnaires' disease.
 
He said the Chief Executive, bureau secretaries and other staff can work as normal. More disinfection work and installation of water filters will contain the bacteria.
 
He said the findings do not mean an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, adding the infection depends on the bacteria level and how a person reacts to the disease.
 
Dr Tsang said disinfection work in the buildings will continue tomorrow and water samples will be tested again after the work.