Legionnaire's Outbreak in Portugal Claims Eight Lives

Officials have confirmed that the death toll has climbed to eight in a Legionnaire's disease outbreak in Portugal.

The latest victim is the second woman to have died since the first case appeared on November 7. Few details were released about her, including when she died.

Legionnaires’ disease - Symptoms - Causes - Risk Factors - Diagnosis - Treatment
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria. The infection is likely to spread when people inhale tiny water droplets containing the bacteria.

The Portugese government has said the outbreak was very likely caused by bacteria found in the refrigeration system of a fertiliser factory in Vila Franca de Xira, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Lisbon.

At least 317 people have been infected since the first case was discovered, but on Friday the head of Portugal's health board Francisco George said the risk of new infections had "returned to normal."

The disease is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person, but can multiply in water and air conditioning systems, including humidifiers, whirlpools and spas.

Legionnaire's Disease Claims Lives of Eight People in Spain
Officials have confirmed that an eighth person has died from the lung infection Legionnaire's disease in northeastern Spain.

It is usually caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water.

The WHO called the outbreak a "major public health emergency" on Tuesday and the Portugese government has called it the third biggest in the history of the disease.

Legionnaire's Disease Claims Five Lives in Portugal
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned on Tuesday that the outbreak of Legionnaire's disease in Portugal constitutes a major public health emergency.

Environment Minister Jorge Moreira da Silva said the Adubos fertiliser factory was tested to see if there was negligence in maintainance and if any "environmental crime" had been committed.

Legionnaire's disease was discovered in the United States in 1976 after a convention of the American Legion, a military veterans group, at which 29 people died.

Visit to Dentist Resulted in First Case of Legionnaire's Disease
The first known case of Legionnaire's disease that was caused by a visit to the dentist has been reported by doctors.

Source-AFP