Legionella E-news -- 26 July 2001

**IN THIS ISSUE**

1. Record-Setting Outbreak Hits Spain

2. Twelve Cases with Six Deaths at a Hospital in Paris

3. Two New Locations for Legionella Prevention Training Course

4. Three Community Cases in London

5. Anniversary of Legionnaires' Disease

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1. RECORD-SETTING OUTBREAK HITS SPAIN

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The city of Murcia, located about 250 miles southeast of Madrid, has been hit with the most extensive outbreak of Legionnaires' disease ever recorded. The cases occurred between 26 June and 16 July, 2001. As of 18 July, 745 cases of pneumonia had been diagnosed, of which 315 have been confirmed as Legionnaires' disease by urinary antigen tests. One-third of the cases were less than 50 years of age. Twelve were admitted to intensive care. Two have died, one 65 and the other 61 years of age. Health authorities speculate that the low death rate is due in part to the quick diagnosis and treatment of the patients. On 7 July 2001, doctors at hospitals in Murcia noticed an unusually large number of patients with pneumonia, so they alerted health officials and started testing for Legionnaires' disease. The health department determined that 80 percent of the cases came from the same section of town. The area's water supply and cooling towers were shut off and checked for Legionella. Legionellae were found in 14 cooling towers at 6 buildings. Several towers were positive by PCR, but Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 has yet to be isolated. Potential sources of contamination were disinfected. Source: News media

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2. TWELVE CASES WITH SIX DEATHS AT A HOSPITAL IN PARIS

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It was thought that the Pompidou hospital (Paris) was legionellae-safe after changes to the hot water system were completed in March 2001 -- corrective measures had been implemented because of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at the hospital that involved 9 cases and 3 deaths between November 2000 and January 2001. But three additional cases occurred between 29 June 2001 and 9 July 2001, two of which resulted in death, bringing the total to 12 cases, including 6 deaths. Additional measures will be put in place to control legionellae. Source: Financial Times Information, Dow Jones, Dialog

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3. TWO NEW LOCATIONS FOR LEGIONELLA PREVENTION TRAINING COURSE

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The Legionella Prevention Training Course is now scheduled for three US locations:

 * Baltimore, Tues.-Wed., 18-19 September 2001

 * San Diego, Thurs.-Fri., 25-26 October 2001

 * Atlanta, Tues.-Wed., 13-14 November 2001

The course is for facility managers, engineers, safety officers, and infection control coordinators, as well as for public health officials, plumbing inspectors, and professionals that offer services related to water treatment, plumbing systems, cooling towers, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, or infection control. For more information, visit

http://hcinfo.com/legionellaseminar.htm or e-mail hcinfo@hcinfo.com.

Incidentally, we are adding cities to the list based on the number inquiries we get from various areas, so if you would like to see a course in your area, send a message to mailto:hcinfo@hcinfo.com.

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4. THREE COMMUNITY CASES IN LONDON

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Three confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease were associated with central London between 22 May and 3 June, 2001.  All three were men, ranging from 31 to 61 years of age. Two of the men worked in the Portman Square area of London. The third man had been visiting the Portman Square area prior to the onset of illness. The cases were diagnosed by urinary antigen detection. L. pneumophila serogroup 1 was identified in water systems and cooling towers in three buildings in the vicinity.  Control measures have been taken at all three sites and further investigation is under way.  Source: Eurosurveillance Weekly Issue 26; 28 Jun 2001

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5. ANNIVERSARY OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE

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This month marks 25 years since the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease associated with the American Legion meeting in Philadelphia. A story released yesterday by the Associated Press begins with the statement, "Twenty-five years after Legionnaires' disease was first identified, public health officials are still trying to get doctors and hospitals to pay closer attention to the disease." The full story is posted at

http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/nation/states/pa/A47275-2001Jul25.html. CBS Radio News plans to broadcast a radio program on Legionnaires' either tomorrow or Saturday. To find a CBS Radio News affiliated radio station in your area, visit http://cbsnews.com/now/story/0,1597,246396-412,00.shtml.

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(c) Copyright 2001, HC Information Resources Inc.

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THANK YOU!

Matt Freije

HC Information Resources Inc.

http://hcinfo.com