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NINE
CASES, TWO DEATHS AT LA HOSPITAL
In March, two cases of Legionnaires'
disease apparently contracted at a 408-bed hospital in Los Angeles were reported
to county health officials. Water samples that were subsequently collected
tested negative. Two months later two more cases were reported, one of which
resulted in the death of a 67-year-old man. Samples were again collected, this
time showing Legionella bacteria. The hospital attempted to decontaminate the
plumbing system by heat shock. Then, on 25 May, a 55-year-old man who entered
the hospital with heart problems contracted Legionnaires'. He died 15 June. The
hospital's chief of staff contended that the patients had underlying illnesses,
so Legionnaires' disease may not have been the primary cause of death. All nine
of the patients were over 50 and had heart problems. Eight of the nine spent
time on the same floor of the hospital before becoming ill.
Sources: LA Times; Reuters; Associated Press
SEVEN
PNEUMONIA CASES, ONE DEATH AT YOUTH HOSTEL IN GREECE
Late June, health officials in Greece linked the death of
a 22-year-old man to Legionnaires' disease. The authorities were alerted to the
outbreak after seven children from a youth hostel contracted pneumonia and
experienced other Legionnaires' symptoms. Health officials found Legionella in
the water supply. Two of the water tanks were found to be rusty and unclean and
were promptly replaced. The children were treated and sent home. The last
published report indicated that officials were awaiting blood sample test
results to determine if there is a definite connection between the illnesses and
the hostel.
Source: Hellenic Resources Network, 6 July 2002
HOT WATER SYSTEM BLAMED FOR 4 CASES AT MASS. NURSING HOME
Four cases of Legionnaires' disease that occurred at a
Massachusetts nursing home in June are being blamed on the building's hot water
system. One of the cases occurred in an employee; the other three were in
residents. Six environmental samples were collected after the cases were
identified. Four of six tested positive for Legionella, three from showers and
one from a whirlpool bath. The incoming water supply tested negative. The
nursing home attempted to decontaminate the system via hot water flush.
Source: HC Information Resources Inc.
LEGIONNAIRES'
KILLS TWO AT JAPAN HOT SPRING
A woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s who visited a spa
in Japan have died after contracting Legionnaires' disease. The woman went to
the hot spring on 7 July, was admitted to a hospital with respiratory problems
on 14 July, and died 22 July. The man bathed at the hot spring on 4 July, was
admitted to a hospital on 9 July, and died 15 July. In all, 98 people in the
area showed Legionnaires' symptoms, 59 of whom were hospitalized. Legionella was
found in 5 of the 98.
Source: The Daily Yomiuri
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