THE HEALTH Ministry was yesterday investigating the claims of a Dutch tourist that he had contracted Legionnaires’ disease while holidaying in Limassol.
According to Politis newspaper, the public health services were notified of the man’s condition by his doctors in Holland as soon as he was diagnosed with the condition.
The authorities, including Health and Labour Ministry officials, are presently investigating whether the Dutchman had contracted the Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease, at one of two Limassol hotels he’d stayed at, the paper said.
The inspectors’ attention will mainly focus on the establishments’ hydraulic systems and air-conditioning systems, as they are the most likely sources of bacteria.
Health Minister Charis Charalambous confirmed the ministry was moving as quickly as possible to determine to what extent the tourist had become infected with the bacteria at either hotel.
According to the minister, if the buildings’ hydraulics or air conditioning systems were at fault, they would have to be disinfected with chemical substances introduced the systems’ hot and cold water. Instructions would also be given for the boiler heaters to operate at temperatures over 65 degrees Centigrade, and the systems would need to be opened and cleaned thoroughly, getting rid of any stagnant water, Charalambous said.
Acting head of the public health services, George Giorgallas, was yesterday unavailable for further comment.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella.
It can have symptoms like many other forms of pneumonia, so it can be hard to diagnose at first. Signs of the disease can include a high fever, chills, and a cough. Some people may also suffer from muscle aches and headaches. Chest X-rays are needed to find the pneumonia caused by the bacteria, and other tests can be done on sputum (phlegm), as well as blood or urine to find evidence of the bacteria in the body.
These symptoms usually begin two to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
Legionnaires’ disease can be very serious and can cause death in up to five per cent to 30 per cent of cases. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics, and healthy people usually recover from infection. More illness is usually found in the summer and early autumn, but it can happen any time of year.
The Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, or parts of the air-conditioning systems of large buildings. They do not seem to grow in car or window air-conditioners.
People get Legionnaires’ disease when they breathe in a mist or vapour that has been contaminated with the bacteria. One example might be from breathing in the steam from a whirlpool spa that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected.
The bacteria are not spread from one person to another person and a person diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in the workplace is not a threat to others who share office space or other areas with him or her.
Outbreaks are when two or more people become ill in the same place at about the same time, such as patients in hospitals. Hospital buildings have complex water systems, and many people in hospitals already have illnesses that increase their risk for Legionella infection. Other outbreaks have been linked to aerosol sources in the community, or with cruise ships and hotels, with the most likely sources being whirlpool spas, air-conditioning units from large buildings, and water used for drinking and bathing.
People most at risk of getting sick from the bacteria are usually 65 years of age or older, as well as people who are smokers, or those who have a chronic lung disease. People who have weak immune systems from diseases like cancer, diabetes, or kidney failure are also more likely to get sick from Legionella bacteria. People who take drugs to suppress the immune system are also at higher risk.
n Information taken from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
