Published Date: 2002-08-28 23:50:00
Subject: PRO/EDR> Legionellosis update: 2002 (03)
Archive Number: 20020828.5173
LEGIONELLOSIS UPDATE: 2002 (03)
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A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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In this issue:
[1] Spain (Catalonia)
[2] UK (England)
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[1] Spain (Catalonia)
Date: 27 Aug 2002
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: People's Daily (China) 27 Aug 2002 [edited]
<http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200208/27/eng20020827_102168.shtml>
Over 120 Spaniards Infected with Legionnaires' Disease
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The outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Matara, Catalonia, Mon 26 Aug 2002,
produced 3 new cases, bringing the number of infected people to 124,
sanitary authorities said. In Matara alone, 104 persons so far have been
infected with the _Legionella pneumophila_ bacterium that produces
pneumonia.
An 83-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man have died. On Fri 23 Aug 2002,
sanitary authorities decided to close the Cortes and Graena municipal
tourist attraction in southern Granada, Andalucia, after finding a
Legionnaires' disease case there. It will remain closed for 15 days.
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[2] UK (England)
Date: Sun 25 Aug 2002 05:15 GMT
From: Padmanabhan Badrinath <badrishanthi@hotmail.com>
Source: BBC News Sunday 25 August 2002 [edited]
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2215236.stm>
UK Officials probe new disease outbreak
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Officials are still trying to find the source of a Legionnaires' disease
outbreak that has affected 6 people. In the Black Country outbreak 3 new
cases were confirmed Sat 24 Aug 2002, taking the total to 6.
A man in his 50s was described as seriously ill, while another man in his
40s and a woman are responding well to treatment. Earlier, 3 women had been
diagnosed as suffering from the illness. Officials think there could be more
cases to come. "This is certainly not like the Barrow-in-Furness cases and
seems to be limited," said a Sandwell hospital spokeswoman The West
Midlands outbreak follows Britain's biggest ever in Cumbria (in which 4
people died) and another in Bedfordshire.
Environmental health officers have spent the weekend checking 40 cooling
systems in the borough of Sandwell to try to isolate the source of the
outbreak. Dr John Middleton, Sandwell's director of public health, said
other cases of the disease could come to light in the next few days. He
said: "I think it's possible that people have already been exposed at the
same time as the ladies that we knew about. It would not be a surprise if
other cases were diagnosed."
Of the first 3 women patients who were admitted to hospital, one has been
released and the other 2 are said to be recovering well. All the cases are
from the Oldbury and Smethwick areas of the West Midlands, and this is
where the inquiry is focusing.
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