The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware of seven confirmed and one possible case of Legionnaires’ disease in people who have stayed or visited Blanes in Costa Brava. Cases are from Spain, the Netherlands and Latvia. The age range of the patients, who are all recovering, is from 48 to 82 years. There are no UK cases associated with this outbreak.
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The Spanish local health authorities are currently investigating possible sources of this outbreak and ABTA – the Travel Association has been informed and will contact their members. The Department of Health and the HPA are closely monitoring the situation for evidence of any UK impact.
Around 350 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in England and Wales are reported to the HPA each year – and one third to half of all these cases are associated with overseas travel.
Professor Nick Phin, head of Legionnaires’ surveillance at the HPA said: “It’s likely that UK tourists will have visited or stayed in Blanes in recent months and given that the most recent case fell ill at the beginning of September, it’s possible that UK residents who recently stayed in or visited the locality may yet develop Legionnaires’ disease.
“Anyone who develops ‘flu like’ symptoms or shortness of breath within two weeks of returning from an overseas holiday should seek medical advice from NHS Direct or their GP.
“Although the risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease is very low, the pneumonia it causes can have a severe impact in older people or those with pre-existing health conditions. It’s important it is diagnosed early in order to start treatment as soon as possible to reduce the impact of the infection.
“Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person to person so once a likely source is identified control measures can be put in place immediately, to reduce the risk of further cases.”
Further Information.
Legionella DVD available here.
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