Hong Kong's prestigious new government buildings which stand proudly overlooking the historic Victoria Harbour were opened 18 months ago as a symbol o...
Hong Kong's prestigious new government buildings which stand proudly overlooking the historic Victoria Harbour were opened 18 months ago as a symbol of the region's transparency and openness. The building is known as The Door and is an architectural triumph, however, there's something lurking in the water system which is leaving government officials and employees somewhat disgruntled with their new office complex.
In December 2011, one of Hong Kong's government ministers was taken into hospital suffering from chest pains and breathing problems. Medical staff quickly discovered that the education minister was suffering from Legionnaires disease, a potentially fatal bug which can thrive in hot tubs, central heating & hot water systems and air conditioning units. After an investigation into where the minister contracted the legionella bug, it was discovered to be rife in the offices in which he worked.
Ten water samples were taken from various locations within the new government complex, including the tap in the education minister's office and legionella was found in all ten locations. The level of the legionella bacteria was reported to be fourteen times the acceptable level in the ministers office tap, which confirmed the source of the infection. Disinfection work was quickly undertaken and at the time of writing, no other cases of legionnaires disease amongst those who work in, or frequent The Door have been reported.
Legionnaires disease is more common in older buildings and critics have been pointing the finger in a variety of directions in order to explain this particular outbreak. Regardless of who or what is to blame, one cannot be complacent when it comes to legionella, and ensuring that both a legionella risk assessment and regular legionella testing is carried out is paramount to ensuring a safe environment for both employees and the general public. It beggars belief that what should be considered common practice was overlooked, especially in such a prestigious building as the new Central Government Complex in Hong Kong.
A legionella risk assessment, when properly conducted, should have brought to light any potential risk of a legionella outbreak, and although officials took immediate action when the source was discovered, more could have been done at an earlier stage. Fortunately the education minister has recovered, but it could have been a very different story bearing in mind just how widespread legionella was within the complex, and considering the amount of people who pass through the complex on a daily basis. Legionella testing is highly recommended for any public building, regardless of it's age and as has been shown in this case, no building can be considered too new to be tested.
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