Nine infected with Legionella in Galicia

Nine people are infected with Legionella in the municipalities of A Guarda and O Rosal in Galicia, Spain, and the General Directorate of Public Health is investigating the cause of the outbreak, the Luse organization reported this Monday.

In a press release, the General Directorate of Public Health of the Junta de Galicia Health Department says it is “investigating an outbreak of Legionella with nine cases in the municipalities of Guarda and O Rosal.”

“There are no conclusions about the source of infection yet,” he adds.

The general management says that “as part of the environmental investigation, water samples were taken in the areas where the victims lived, as well as in the houses of five of them,” the statement said.

So far, the results “have been negative.”

According to information sent to Lusa, nine patients were hospitalized, but three have already been discharged.

“In accordance with public health protocols, an epidemiological and environmental investigation team was formed and appropriate investigations were conducted,” he said.

On the other hand, the epidemiological curve is analyzed, “which will allow us to determine whether the outbreak can be closed.”

“An investigation by public health experts is ongoing,” management said.

Guarda is opposite the municipality of Caminha, where an outbreak of legionella infected seven people on Tuesday.

The two municipalities are separated by approximately six kilometers and run by the Minho River, with no direct connection between the two banks.

Ferry service between the two municipalities is currently suspended.

The first patient in Caminha infected with Legionella was notified to health authorities on November 10, and the seventh on Wednesday, November 15.

Alto Miño health official Luis Delgado told Lusa on Friday that the Legionella outbreak, which infected seven people in the municipality of Caminha, was “limited” and that the population “can live their normal lives.”

The person in charge said the environmental investigation should be “closed” to determine the origin of the bacteria after 12 samples were taken and sent to the Ricardo Jorge Institute in Porto.

Four of the infected live in Vila Praia de Ancora, two in Moledo and one in Vilarello.

Lusa was today questioned by the General Directorate of Health about the Legionella cases in Alto Minho, but clarification was sent to the Northern Regional Health Directorate (ARSN).

Together with ARSN and the Department of Health of the Junta de Galicia, Lusa has also tried to obtain clarification and information on whether the two countries are coordinating outbreak investigations, but has not yet received a response.