Two cases of Legionella, one of which was fatal, were reported in Lesa do Balio, Matosinhos. To the question CMThe Northern Regional Health Authority confirms that “in this municipality, a cluster with probable environmental origin has been identified in a residential care home for the elderly, with two cases confirmed to date, one death recorded and control measures in place.” ARS/Norte further states , that “taking into account that the incubation period can be up to 14 days (the most common is 5-7 days), authorities will continue to monitor the emergence of possible new cases.”
Still in the north, but in Caminha, “to date a cluster with seven confirmed cases has already been identified and this cluster is at the stage of epidemiological investigation and determination of the public health measures necessary to combat it.”
“Local health authorities, together with the Regional Directorate of Health, develop epidemiological and environmental investigations in accordance with the standards and guidelines of the Directorate General of Health (DGS), defining public health measures adjusted and proportionate to risk. assessments, remaining attentive to the development of the situation. Additional measures that prove necessary will be taken in close cooperation with the State Revenue Service,” adds ARS/Norte in an explanation to CM.
Legionnaires’ disease is a pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, characterized by symptoms such as fever, malaise, headaches, muscle aches, nonproductive cough and diarrhea. The disease most often affects adults, usually smokers, patients with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic diseases (diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease, or tumors). Pneumonia caused by Legionella can be serious, with death occurring in 5–14% of patients. The infection is transmitted through the air (respiratory) route, by inhaling droplets of water (aerosols) or, less commonly, by aspirating water contaminated with bacteria.
This microorganism typically lives in water, in natural aquatic environments such as rivers and lakes, and can contaminate human-made water systems such as building water supplies, cooling systems, and others.
Legionnaires’ disease can occur as a single case or as an outbreak, occurring more often from late summer to fall.
Author: Manuel Jorge Bento
Source: CM Jornal
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