Published Date: 2003-05-30 23:50:00
Subject: PRO/EDR> Legionellosis, spa outbreak - Spain (Canary Islands)
Archive Number: 20030530.1320

LEGIONELLOSIS, SPA OUTBREAK - SPAIN (CANARY ISLANDS)
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Date: Thu, 22 May 2003 13:21:05 -0300
From: Jaime R. Torres, ProMED-ESP <torresj@iname.com>
Source: Diario de Avisos; [edited and translated by Maria Jacobs, ProMED-ESP]
<http://www.diariodeavisos.com/hoy/noticias/saludmedicina/21DA23A.html>

[ProMED-mail regrets the delay in posting. - Mod.MPP]
Rafael Diaz, health secretary for the government of the Canary Islands,
reported on 21 May 2003 that the outbreak of legionellosis detected in the
locality of Adeje, in the south of the island of Tenerife, and that has
affected at least 4 persons, is "completely under control." 2 patients were
released from the hospital; 2 remain in the University Hospital La
Candelaria; one is in the intensive care unit (ICU), but his condition is
improving.
Health authorities believe that the outbreak originated in a spa that
offers water-based treatments. The site is now closed and will not reopen
until all possibilities of contagion have been completely eradicated.
Sources at the health department said that the 4 cases identified so far
are causally and temporally related to the site, and added that, given the
incubation period for the disease, it is possible that new cases will
appear until 28 May 2003.
According to Diaz, the source of the outbreak is the water refrigeration
system.
Technicians from the Department of Epidemiology consider this a "small and
limited" outbreak that was detected on 15 May 2003, when the department
received notification of one case, added to 2 others reported over the
previous weeks.
After confirming the causal nexus among the affected persons, public health
technicians carried out an environmental inspection of the spa and, as a
preventive measure, cancelled all its activities until further notice.
--
ProMED
<promed@promedmail.org>
[This moderator learned today of a possible new case of legionellosis in a
Venezuelan resident that vacationed in Adeje and visited the implicated spa
during the time when the other 4 patients were identified. 3 days later the
patient presented respiratory symptoms that worsened over a few days and
required not only hospitalization but also assisted ventilation. He remains
in the ICU in a clinic in Caracas, Venezuela, and his condition remains
stable but serious. A reference laboratory is currently testing the samples
to confirm the diagnosis of legionella infection. - Mod.JT]
[This cluster of cases in the Canary Islands, with a probable additional
case that was diagnosed in a traveler on the other side of the Atlantic
Ocean, illustrates once again that we live in a global village. Travelers
have presented -- and will present with illnesses acquired thousands of
miles distant from the acquisition point. Knowledge about outbreaks of
illnesses in far-away places is vital; the current SARS epidemic is a good
example. - Mod.LL]

See Also

Legionellosis, hotel - UK (England) (02) 20030316.0663
Legionellosis, hotel - UK (England) 20030311.0599
2002
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Legionellosis update: 2002 (03) 20020828.5173
Legionellosis update: 2002 (02) 20020816.5074
Legionellosis - update 20020517.4237
Legionellosis - Spain (Barcelona, Valencia) 20020812.5029
Legionellosis - USA (Vermont) (02) 20020809.5007
Legionellosis - UK (England) (02) 20020809.5004
Legionellosis - Japan (Miyazaki) 20020809.5001
Legionellosis, potting soil - Australia (NSW) 20020808.4988
Legionellosis - UK (Cumbria) 20020805.4951
Legionellosis, pilgrims - Italy (Puglia) 20020705.4674
Legionellosis, nursing home - USA (Pennsylvania) 20020615.4507
Legionellosis - Australia (Melbourne): alert 20020417.3977
2001
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Legionellosis - Norway (02) 20010906.2123
Legionellosis - Spain (Pamplona) (02) 20010822.1979
Legionellosis - France (Paris) 20010717.1379
Legionellosis - Spain (Murcia) (08) 20011017.2555
Legionellosis - UK (London): alert 20010630.1249
Legionellosis, automobile plant - USA (Ohio) 20010315.0531
Legionellosis, hospital - Australia (Melbourne) 20010108.0059
2000
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Legionellosis - Australia (Melbourne) (09) 20000525.0833
Legionellosis - New Zealand, UK, ex Australia 20000503.0673
..............jt/ll/pg/mpp

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