Opening of baths in Gondomar awaits negative counter-analysis of Legionella

A month has passed since the discovery of legionella bacteria in two shower rooms of the locker rooms of Escola Secundária de Gondomar, which led to their closure, the normalization of the situation awaits the result of a third negative counter-analysis, the school revealed.

In an email sent to parents on Thursday and to which Lusa accessed this Friday, the director of a school in the Porto area reports that, following the definitions of Parque Escolar, “all procedures are carried out according to the protocols specific to the detected” legionella situation, procedures that include disinfection with hot water.”

The person responsible for the group indicates that “the two counter-analyses carried out showed [resultado] negative” and that the result of the third “is expected to be known later this week.”

“If that happens, the dressing rooms will be fully operational next week,” he adds.

Since the beginning of the second period, January 3, boys have access to “locker rooms 1 and 2, and girls have access to locker rooms 5, 6 and 7” with the recommendation “not to use hot showers.”

On December 13, in response to Lusa, Park Escolar reported that the day before, “as part of the preventive maintenance and conservation plan of Gondomar High School, samples were collected and the presence of Legionella SPP bacteria was recorded.” in the shower in the women’s locker room and in the shower in the men’s locker room.”

Lusa tried to get updated information from Parque Escolar, but was unsuccessful so far.

Legionnaires’ disease, caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila, can be contracted by inhaling droplets of contaminated water vapor (aerosols) so small that they transport the bacteria into the lungs, depositing them in the alveoli of the lungs.