LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE

OUTBREAKS

2005

The Conselleria de Sanidad made yesterday the weekly report public of epidemiología, that gathers the appearance of three new cases of legionellosis in the Valencian Community in the second week of 2005.

The affected ones are one of the area 10, that corresponds to the zone of Alzira, Swedish Carcaixent and, another one to the area of health 15, included/understood between the Vila Joiosa and Benidorm, and third detected in the area 19, to which the localities of Elche and Santa Pola belong.

These cases first are detected in 2005 in the Community, since in the first week of the year no affected by the bacterium of legionela was registered.

In the Vila Joiosa it is the fourth case that has been appearing of legionelosis for two months, since there were two patients in the week from the 14 to the 20 of November and third I infect in the week from the 21 to the 27 of that same month.

In that last week also it appeared another case of legionellosis in Elche.

In 2004, the Community registered 195 cases of pneumonia by legionella, 39 less than in 2003. Between the zones with greater incidence they are Alcoy, Xàtiva and some localities of Castellón.

The deputy of EU-L'Entesa in Cortes Valencian Alfred Bottle assured the last week that the rate of legionellosis in the Valencian Community is "two points superior" to the average national, since it as opposed to has "a rate of 4.53 cases by each thousand 2.56 inhabitants global

Saturday January 22, 2005

Two cases of légionellose of which one peron died  in the Coasts of Armor

 SAINT-BRIEUC FRANCE

 Two cases of légionellose whose death appeared this week in the Coasts of Armor, one learned Saturday near the prefecture from the department.
 

There is no a priori risk of contamination (the close relations received the preventive treatments necessary)", indicated to AFP Thierry Suquet, sub-prefect of Lannion, permanence to the prefecture of the Coasts of Armor Saturday.

An investigation of the DASS (Direction of the medical and social businesses) is in hand to know if there is a bond between the two cases.

The two cases were raised in Saint-Brieuc and in its suburbs, in Ploufragan, according to the prefecture which was not measures some Saturday to give more precision.

January 23, 2005

2 Ocean City visitors get Legionnaires' disease

Two recent Ocean City visitors have contracted Legionnaires' disease, and one has died, the Worcester County Health Department said.

Inspectors are testing water samples at the Braemar Towers condominiums, where the visitors stayed in separate units. The condo is the only common link found so far between the two people, said Deborah Goeller, a county health officer, although she said she isn't certain that the two people contracted the disease there.

Goeller said neither person was a resident of Worcester County but declined to release their names or other information because of medical privacy laws. She said the department was waiting for test results on water samples from the building.

UPDATE

Third Case of Legionnaires'  Disease in Ocean City

1 February 2005

Ocean City, MD

The Worcester County Health Department is reporting a third case of Legionnaires' disease associated with an Ocean City condominium.

As with the two previous cases, the third case is associated with the Braemar Tower condominium complex on 131st Street.

The first two patients stayed in separate units in the complex over the holidays and one of them died.

The condition of the person in the latest case isn't known, but health officials say the person didn't die.

While health officials can't confirm the patients contracted Legionnaires' at the condo, water samples from several locations inside tested positive for the bacteria that causes the disease.

The condominium owners treated the water over the weekend.

The health department will do follow-up testing in the next few days.

UPDATE

2 February 2005

Water samples were taken Tuesday to determine whether the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease has been successfully removed from the water system of a condominium complex where three residents came down with the disease, killing one, a county health official said.

County health officials first tested the water in Braemar Towers on 131st Street after the first two cases were reported.

Those tests indicated the presence of the bacteria at several points, prompting health officials to recommend disinfection of the water system, which was done over the weekend, a Worcester County health officer.

One of the three residents, Monica Flaherty, 50, of Silver Spring, died from the illness. Despite her death, health officials cannot force owners of the 245 units in the complex to stay away from their units.

Jim Ritter, a spokesman for the company that manages the complex, Legum & Norman Inc., said the condominiums are mostly vacation homes and most residents have opted not to use the units until the process is completed.

The health department has not determined the specific cause of the infection but gave recommendations on how to disinfect the system, Ritter said.

UPDATE

Health officials in Worcester County, Md., yesterday confirmed that three residents of an Ocean City condominium contracted Legionnaires' disease after staying at the building in late December and early January.
 The disease — caused by inhaling the mist of a contaminated water source — killed at least one person and forced the management of the Braemar Towers condominium to disinfect its domestic water system last weekend to prevent further infections.
The process isn't over yet," said Jim Ritter, spokesman for the building's managing agent, Legum & Norman Inc. We'll continue to monitor the situation and go forward with it.

Worcester County health official Deborah Goeller said her department began investigating reports of Legionellosis at the condo after two persons who had stayed there between Christmas and New Year's contracted the disease. A third case was confirmed late Friday.
Typically, our investigation is asking a lot of questions ... just trying to see if there's any kind of common factor, Mrs. Goeller said. The only thing we were able to find is their stay at the Braemar.

 Richard Flaherty of Silver Spring said his wife, Monica, went to their Braemar condo shortly after Christmas with their two sons and a friend. She took space heaters to warm the apartment, Mr. Flaherty said, and returned home with flu like symptoms.
After her condition worsened, Mrs. Flaherty entered the hospital on Jan. 7. Three days later, the 50-year-old mother of four died.

It was like three days of listening to a clock tick," Mr. Flaherty said of his wife's hospital stay. "It was very, very hard."
Mr. Flaherty said shortly after his wife's death, his daughter received an e-mail from a woman whose co-worker also was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease at the Anne Arundel Medical Center. The woman, who Mr. Flaherty said lives in Annapolis, spent time at the Ocean City condos in late December.
The Worcester County health department collected water samples from the condo, and Mrs. Goeller said the samples came back positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria on Wednesday. The condo association was ordered to treat its water system by flushing its pipes with a solution containing heavy chlorine.
Mr. Ritter said tenants also were notified of the situation, and management plans to comply with follow-up testing conducted by the health department this week.

The condominium association and management company have done everything we've asked them to do," Mrs. Goeller said.
Mr. Flaherty said he hired an independent industrial hygienist to test rooms at the condo, and a preliminary test came back positive for the bacteria. He said he is frustrated by the condo's deference to the health department on the matter, saying no one from Braemar has contacted him.
I feel like it's a cover yourself as a legal matter rather than a moral issue that my wife died," he said. "I would like somebody just to take responsibility, but I know it's not going to happen.

The health department has not released the names of those affected by the disease because of medical privacy laws, which Mr. Ritter said has prevented condo officials from contacting the family.

There were 83 reported cases of Legionnaires' and three deaths from the disease in Maryland last year, according to the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Virginia Department of Health reported 55 cases in 2004, including one death. The District had 13 cases of the disease last year.
Legionnaires' disease is not new to Ocean City.

Officials tested the water supply of the city's Princess Royale hotel in early last year to determine whether seven guests who stayed there and contracted the disease were exposed to the bacteria by the hotel's water supply. Mrs. Goeller said tests showed a low level of Legionella in the water, and officials said the hotel might not have been directly responsible for the illnesses.

In October 2003, an Odenton, Md., man died of Legionnaires' after spending five days at his Ocean City vacation home. Officials said they could not isolate the exact source of the man's infection, but considered the case closed after ruling out large public sectors of Anne Arundel County.

UPDATE

Five Legionnaires' Disease Cases Monitored In Ocean City Area

 OCEAN CITY

2 February 2005

While county health officials have been able to determine that three of the five recent, documented cases of Legionnaires' disease came from one location, it still remains unclear where the other two picked up the illness.

The Worcester County Health Department has been working closely with the owners and management of the Braemar Towers after it was confirmed that three cases of Legionnaires' originated there. A 50-year-old Montgomery County woman died after contracting the illness during the outbreak believed to have started after Christmas. Two other people who stayed in the high-rise condos contracted the disease in the same time period.

Worcester County Health Department Nursing Director Becky Shockley said this week that the Braemar Towers has since undergone remediation efforts over the weekend to rid it of any trace of bacteria that causes the disease. While the common link between the three Braemar cases was identified, He also said a connection has not yet surfaced in the other two cases, except that they did not stay at the Braemar Towers.

We have not determined any other common link to any other facility,  But, the other cases are not associated with the Braemar Towers.

Gardeners warned of deadly potting mix
 Jan 23 2005
Victoria Australia

SPECIESHOLM,  SWEDEN

2 February 2005

 About 50 guests at a luxury hotel and spa in central Sweden became ill over the weekend from what health authorities fear could be the bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease.

Two cases of légionellose of which one dies in the Gironde
BORDEAUX

17 February 2005

Two cases of légionellose, with one death was detected in the Gironde, announced the prefecture of the department Thursday afternoon.
In an official statement, the prefecture specifies that a 83 years old man, hospitalized for several days at the hospital High Lévêque with Pessac (the Gironde), has been deceased at the beginning of week.
An epidemiologic investigation to seek the origin of the contamination is in hand.
A second case has been just detected among the members of the personnel of the general council of the Gironde. The person concerned is currently hospitalized with the CHU of Bordeaux. An environmental investigation making it possible to determine the places of contamination in which this person was exposed lasting the time of incubation (between four and 10 days) was immediately engaged by the departmental direction of the medical and social businesses.
The contamination at work is a priori isolated, taking into account the fact that the person concerned was indeed on leave for the incubation period. However, by measurement of precaution, of the taking away were realized right now in the common buildings. They will be followed of a disinfection by chlorinated shock.

Detected six cases of legionella in the Hospital is Reynals de Hospitalet de Llobregat

 BARCELONA

28 February 2005.

 A total of six patients of the Hospital Lasts i Reynals, in the Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona), have been affected from legionella.

One of the affected ones the past passed away Saturday, a day after the infection was detected to him, according to informed the Conselleria de Salud today.

The affected patients are inmunodeprimidas people, is to say with the system of low defenses, since they are entered in this oncológico health center, located to little distance of the Hospital of Bellvitge.

 The first one affected is a man of 81 years of age that undergoes cancer of lung dealt with x-ray and that is "clinically stable", according to Health. This case was confirmed Friday the past, after presenting/displaying clinical signs of pneumonía.

 The second case is a man of 41 years with cancer of unknown origin, manifold cerebral metástasis and one disease very outpost. Its infection was confirmed the same Friday and passed away on the following day.

 Third affected he is a man of 42 years, who undergoes aplasia to medular -- disappearance of the cells in charge of the production of blood in the marrow -- and that at the moment is "stable", after the legionellosis confirmed Saturday the past.

 A woman of 43 years who also undergoes leukemia has been affected by this outbreak from legionela. This case was confirmed yesterday and its state of health also is stable, according to Health.

 The fifth case, that it was confirmed yesterday, is a woman of 75 years of age that suffers linfoma from relapse. The last one affected is a man of 61 years with lung cancer, whose infection was confirmed yesterday. Both patients are stable.

This outbreak has "a nosocomial" origin and "it occurs in inmunodeprimidos patients who with little amount of legionella have a high risk of infection", today assured the consellera Health, Geli Navy, that denied that its department has hidden information.

 WATER DISINFECTION IN THE HOSPITAL. After the first case of legionellosis, the Hospital Lasts i Reynals has initiated the hipercloración and disinfection of the water of the center and has contacted with all the given patients of discharge from the 7 to the 20 of February to evaluate if they undergo suspicious symptoms. The service of Preventive Medicine, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases of the hospital has made microbiological controls of the patients with some suspicion, that "five cases and negatives in seven more were positive in", according to Health.

 NEW PATIENTS DO NOT ENTER. Also the entrance of new patients has been avoided, except nononcológicos patients who must follow treatments that do not require any type of hospitalization. The hospital either does not allow the use of the showers on the part of the patients until guaranteeing its inocuidad.

The center, that put the facts in knowledge of the committees of labor health, welfare and of company, has made today laboratory tests to the entered patients to discard an infection and has made environmental cultures that until the moment they have given negative. The Conselleria de Salud, that is investigating the origin of the outbreak, indicated that the outbreak "is not communitarian", reason why insisted that "it is not necessary" that the general population and the visitors or relatives which they go to the center "take no type from measurement".

UPDATE

Tuesday 01 of March 2005

The affected ones by the outbreak of legionella in the Hospital rise to nine

Three people have been more affected by the outbreak from legionella detected in the Hospital Last i Reynals de L"Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona), reason why they rise to nine the total of entered affected by this infection, according to informed the Conselleria of Health today.

These new cases have been confirmed after analysing with microbiological tests to all the patients entered the seventh plant and the considered ones of risk that were hospitalized in sixth. The results have been 39 negatives and nine positives.

The outbreak of legionella, whose first case confirmed Friday the past, has been settled with a victim. One is a man of 41 years with cancer of unknown origin and manifold cerebral metástasis whose infection knew Friday and passed away on the following day.

The three new detected cases are a woman of 54 years who has a leukaemia and that was put under a transplant of bony marrow, a man of 68 years with leukaemia and put under a immunosuppression treatment and a woman of 68 years with linfoma.

Both are, like the other five stable affected by the outbreak. One is a man of 81 years with lung cancer and treaty with x-ray and a man of 42 years with aplasia to medular.

A woman of 75 years with linfoma, another one of 43 years with leukemia and a man of 61 years with cancer of affected lung are the rest of. These last three cases were confirmed yesterday, whereas both first they were it the past Friday.

The Hospital Lasts i Reynals, oncológico center located to little distance of the Hospital of Bellvitge, has contacted with all the patients who entered between the 7 and the 20 of February and that already was registered.

EVALUATED OTHER 15 GIVEN PATIENTS OF DISCHARGE.

Until the moment, 15 patients, who already received the medical discharge, have been evaluated clinically to detect if they have legionelosis symptoms. These tests are pending of the final results.

After the detection of the first cases, the Conselleria of Health, in collaboration with the Hospital Lasts i Reynals initiated an investigation to detect the cause of this outbreak of legionella, that was originated in the interior of the center.

The director of Public Health of the Generalitat, Antoni Plasència, or has advanced the possibility that a problem in the internal circuit of the water is the cause of this outbreak, reason why or has been made a hyperchloration and disinfection of the water.

Probably, the infection propagated through the cloud of gotitas that leave to the showers and the water faucets once opened. Thus, the hospital has decided to prevent the use of showers on the part of the patients, as well as the entrance of new patients.

Second outbreak appears of legionella in the prison of Zuera in a year

Spain 7th April 2005

•  Three internal ones entered in March in the hospital Miguel Servet by pneumonia
•  1 and 2 of April was applied a chemical treatment in the pipes of the network

A total of three internal ones of the penitentiary center of Zuera has been diagnosed of pneumonia by legionella during the month of March, and at the moment, it is to the delay of the definitive results of a fourth case. The affected ones had to be transferred to the hospital Miguel Servet de Zaragoza where they have remained entered an average of six days before returning to the jail. Outbreak is the second that registers  in the facilities in the last year, the previous one took place in January of the 2004.

The direction of the penitentiary center, meanwhile, has adopted the pertinent measures on prevention, treatment and pursuit of the legionellosis that is come off decree 865 of the 2003, by means of heat treatments and chemical of the water to try to eliminate the possible centers of legionella that they exist in the conduits of the network.

However, this one is not the first outbreak of legionella that is detected in the prison of Zuera, as it has confirmed to this newspaper the direction of the prison. First of them 2004 were registered in the month of January of, with four patients affected, although the building only has been in operation four years, since July of the 2001 was inaugurated the past.

In any case, legionella does not keep no relation with the last death notified Tuesday to different mass media, according to assured the director the prison, Andrés Gonzalo Díez.

The past 7th of March, an internal one -- with several pathologies of base -- was admitted the hospital Miguel Servet. Day 19 of the same month the hospitable center notified the prison of Zuera that the diagnosis: pneumonia by legionella.

Accidentally and before this confirmation, the private company in charge of the prevention, treatment and pursuit of the legionellosis carried out a heat treatment and of hipercloración of the water network, like which it makes of periodic form. Other two internal ones were hospitalized by the same reason in Miguel Servet during the first fortnight of March, although these cases were confirmed at the end of month.

At sight of the facts, the direction of the prison and the company in charge of the control of the quality of waters of the center decided to apply a chemical treatment of shock in the supplying network. "During days 1 and 2 of April, water bottled between the internal ones was distributed, due to the imposiblidad to drink of the network of supplying by hipercloración of the cold water and warms up", assured Andrés Gonzalo.

In addition the person in charge to the center remembered that the water points in the prison are very numerous. "Altogether 1,240 cells exist, with two water points, the one of the washbasin and the one of the shower, in addition to the gymnasiums and factories". Also it explained that for year and means artichokes in the showers have not been existing to avoid that the water leaves in aerosol form, system that favors the propagation and inhalation of legionella.

Andrés Gonzalo also emphasized the fact that the refrigeration system does not use the typical towers of outside but that consists of different pumps from heat and cold, with which the risks are diminished. However, the director remembered the peculiarities of the health of good part of the secluded population. "Many suffer infectious diseases, like VIH, and others have developed AIDS already, which favors the appearance of pathologies given his debilitated immunological system".

UPDATE

13th  April 2005

Confirmed a fourth case of legionella in the prison of Zuera

The number of inmates of the prison of Zuera affected by legionella ascends already to four.

The Department of Health of the DGA confirmed yesterday this new case of the outbreak of legionella registered in the penitentiary center and that constitutes the second already since it was inaugurated in 2001 July.

Before the proximity of both outbreaks --el first in January of the 2004 --, Public Health has recommended to the direction of the prison that deals the water with chlorine during three months followed at the same time that that has urged to him to the cleaning and disinfection of the supplying network it is carried out every three months and not every year as determines the norm in prevention of legionellosis.

The first case of pneumonia by legionella was confirmed the 19 of March. From then other three inmates they have been diagnosed of the same. Accidentally, and three days before the first one was known affected by this bacterium, the private company in charge of the prevention, treatment and pursuit of the legionellosis carried out a heat treatment and of hyperchlorination of the water network.

France

7th April 2005

Two cases of légionellose, of which a death is recorded, in Saone-et-Loire

53 years a road driver remaining in Châteaurenaud (Saone-et-Loire) is deceased on March 30 of légionellose and living man a 74 year old with Louhans (Saone-et-Loire) was hospitalized for the same infection, one learned Thursday near departmental Management from the medical and social businesses (Ddass).

The first signs of the disease (strong fever and cough) appeared on March 26 at the 53 year old man, who was hospitalized little afterwards with Lons-the-Salt maker (the Jura). A urinary test made it possible to detect the légionellose quickly. An epidemiologic investigation is in hand to determine the origin of it.

The 74 year old man, hospitalized on March 25 in the same establishment of Lons-the-Salt maker, is currently looked after by antibiotics with the intensive care unit. Ddass privileges the assumption of a contamination by its hot water supply network.

Two cases, although very close relations geographically, are a priori not bound, specified the medical services.

LYON FRANCE

15 April 2005  

Two cases of legionellose, of which a death occurred.

Two cases of legionellose, with one death were detected at the beginning of April among two boarders of a hospital geriatric in Alix (the Rhone), it was stated Friday by the departmental Management from the medical and social Businesses (DDASS).

 A 92 year old woman, who had accomplished a two weeks stay at the hospital geriatric of the Valley of Azergues then had returned to it, died on April 7 at the hospital of the Russet-red Cross in Lyon where it had been allowed one week earlier.

 April 8, a second case was detected on a patient of the hospital geriatric, 86 years old and of which the health improved since, Dr. Francoise Tissot-Guerraz indicated, of the department hospital hygiene to the civil Old people's homes of Lyon (HCl). Analyses are in hand to determine if the two cases come from the same species, it specified.  

New York-Presbyterian hospital

20 April 2005

Legionnaire's disease in water system eyed

State health officials are investigating whether the death of a Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center patient may have been caused by an outbreak of deadly Legionnaire's disease bacteria in the hospital's water system.

The upper Manhattan hospital turned off its faucets and brought in bottled water while it sterilized pipes in the 675-bed Milstein Hospital building after the tragic death.

But the patient's family believes the hospital has failed to do enough.

"If they knew they had a problem with the water, why didn't they tell us to use bottled water?" asked Neil Montesano, whose 63-year-old father, Richard, died April 13 shortly after entering the hospital with a heart condition.

Richard Montesano used a machine that sprayed water in his throat to combat sleep apnea, his family says, but the hospital never warned them to avoid tap water.

"Maybe more cases will come out now," said Neil Montesano, 33, one of the Tarrytown man's four children.

The city medical examiner ruled that Richard Montesano died of an infection after having a catheter placed in his arm, but is waiting for lab results to determine whether Legionnaire's was a factor, a spokeswoman said.

Joe DiMura, a spokesman for the state Health Department, said the state was aware of the case. "We are investigating," DiMura said.

Columbia Presbyterian spokeswoman Myrna Manners would not comment on Montesano's death, but said the medical center regularly monitored its water for the Legionnaire's bacteria and spent millions of dollars to eliminate it once it was found.

"We want to take all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the water," she said. "Our patients are our highest priority."

It rarely causes infections or deaths, but it is a particular hazard in hospitals where patients with compromised immune systems are often vulnerable.

Montesano contracted a 103-degree fever in late March and was diagnosed with Legionnaire's disease after a March 31 blood test, his family said.

Maintenance workers removed every faucet in the Milstein building the weekend of April 9 and 10, then superheated the building's water supply to near boiling as part of the cleaning, Manners said.

The hospital also ran a special chlorination process and installed an ionization system to kill the bacteria, in addition to bringing in bottled water for drinking.

Manners said the hospital is still waiting for final test results on whether the bacteria is gone.

UPDATE

New York-Presbyterian hospital

21 April 2005

Legionnaires' disease linked to 2nd death

 A second patient's death may have been caused by a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in the water supply of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, officials said yesterday.

State health officials confirmed they are probing whether the water-borne disease was responsible for the death of an unnamed patient March 17, as well as a Tarrytown man April 13.

The hospital acknowledged yesterday that it has reported four cases of Legionnaires' disease since March. But it contended they were all treated successfully, and the two deaths were caused by the patients' other diseases.

News of the additional cases came as a shock to the family of Richard Montesano, 63, who died a week ago after entering the hospital in March for a lifesaving heart procedure.

Though the hospital knew Legionnaire's bacteria was in the water system, and provided bottled water to patients and staff, Montesano's family says they were never warned against putting tap water in a machine that sprayed water into his throat.

"March 17, my husband was there and using and inhaling the contaminated water," his widow, Carol, told the  News yesterday. "This is absolutely appalling."

UPDATE

New York-Presbyterian hospital confirms 4 cases of Legionnaires' disease

21 April 2005

NEW YORK

 Four patients at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center were treated for Legionnaires' disease last month and two of them died, apparently from other causes, the hospital said Thursday.

There is no information available at this time connecting their deaths to Legionella, New York-Presbyterian said in a statement.
The state health department is investigating the cases and has not confirmed the causes of the two deaths, department spokesman Joe DiMura said.

The medical center said Legionella bacteria was identified in the water supply of its Milstein Hospital Building. No other buildings at the medical center were affected, and no other confirmed or suspected cases have been reported, it said.

Legionnaires' disease is treatable with antibiotics and does not generally pose a threat to the public.

The hospital said the four patients who contracted Legionnaires' had been admitted in an advanced stage of complex disease.

Hospital officials said they have taken several steps to guard against future cases, including hyper chlorinating the water, superheating the water system and installing a silver/copper ionization system.

The hospital declined to release any information about the patients. It was reported Thursday that one of the fatalities was a man from Tarrytown, in Westchester County, who died April 13 and the other was an unidentified patient who died March 17.

Press release: santé

CASE OF LEGIONELLOSE IN THE RHONE

Cabinet of the Prefect

Lyon, May 11, 2005

Case of légionelloses in the Rhone

Since the end of April, 12 cases of légionelloses were declared by the hospital doctors concerning of the people domiciled in communes located at the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration.

Eight men and four women are currently hospitalized in various establishments of Lyon.

The légionellose appears by demonstrations of the grippal type (respiratory asthenia, fever, coughs, disorders and Generals). These disorders which can generate serious complications, must result in consulting its doctor
treating which will prescribe a tracking.

Professor ETIENNE, person in charge for the National Center of Reference of Légionelles, points out that an early active antibiotic regulation
with respect to légionelles the tiny room in a very significant way gravity of the disease.

Studies detailed on the environment of the sick people are in hand to determine the sources of contamination.

Various services of the State: Departmental direction of the Medical and Social Businesses (DDASS), Regional Direction of Industry and Environment (DRIRE) and Direction of the Veterinary Services (DSV) as well as the territorial communities concerned, qualified as regards medical safety and classified installations, engaged without delay the check procedures envisaged in similar circumstances and in particular with the checks of the turns aéroréfrigérantes.


A POINT PRESS WILL TAKE PLACE  A The DDASS
(245, street Garibaldi - 69003 LYON)
TODAY A 17 HOURS

11 May 2005
FRANCE

Twelve cases of légionellose in the Rhone since the end of April

 Twelve cases of légionellose were detected since the end of April in communes of the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration, announced Wednesday the prefecture of the Rhone.

  Eight men and four women were hospitalized in Lyons establishments, indicated the prefecture in an official statement. Two of them are in reanimation, according to DDASS'S.

The others "are restored gradually", and one already left the hospital, added a person in charge for the DDASS. "Of the studies detailed on the environment of the sick people are in hand to determine the sources of contamination", specified the prefecture. Check procedures, in particular of checking of turns aéroréfrigérantes, were engaged, one continued of the same source.

LYON, France

 May 12, 2005

 Alarm with the légionellose: 4 (well 4) new cases announced close to Lyon Four cases of légionellose (well four) were detected in the south of the department of Ain, which changes to 16 the number of patients infected since the end April in the north of the Lyons agglomeration, announced Thursday the prefecture of Ain. The four patients of Ain, two men and two women old from 59 to 75 years, were hospitalized in establishments of Lyon.

One of them is in reanimation, while the three others "are the subject of an attentive medical supervision", according to a spokesman of the prefecture. Two cases were declared in Miribel, one in Boisse and in Mionnay, the prefecture of Ain specified which, initially, had made state of five cases of légionellose. Twelve cases of légionellose had been revealed Wednesday in the north of the Lyons agglomeration, in Caluire, Rillieux and some neighbouring communes. Eight men and four women were hospitalized, two of them being in reanimation, according to the DDASS.

The others "are restored gradually", and one of them already left the hospital, had added a person in charge for the DDASS. Investigations are in hand, in particular on a dozen turns aéroréfrigérantes of the sector and on systems of food brumisation in a supermarket, in order to determine the sources of contamination, one learned at the DRIRE and from the prefecture of Ain.

LYON, France

May 12, 2005

 Alarm with the légionnellose: five new cases announced close to Lyon Five cases of légionellose were declared Thursday in the south of the department of Ain, in a geographical sector bordering on the communes of the Rhone where twelve cases were already announced Wednesday, one learned near the prefecture from Ain. These five cases change to 17 the number of patients infected since the end April in the north of the Lyons agglomeration.

The five patients of Ain were hospitalized in various establishments of Lyon. Their health was not known Thursday morning.

Two cases were declared in Miribel, in Montluel, in Mionnay and with Saint-Andre-of-Corcy, the prefecture in an official statement specified. The medical authorities of Ain were not able to give more precision. Twelve cases of légionellose were revealed Wednesday in the north of the Lyons agglomeration, in Caluire, Rillieux and some neighbouring communes.

Eight men and four women were hospitalized, two of them being in reanimation, according to the DDASS. The others "are restored gradually", and one of them already left the hospital, had added a person in charge for the DDASS. The légionellose appears by demonstrations of the grippal type (respiratory asthenia, fever, coughs, disorders and Generals), which can generate serious complications.

Update

20 announced cases of légionellose 

 13^th May 2005 

 Eight new cases of légionellose were announced to the north of Lyon in the Rhone and Ain, indicates the prefecture of the Rhone which considers the situation "serious". Samples are tested to detect disease  

The  epidemic of légionellose becomes extensive in the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration, where already twenty cases were listed Thursday, while the medical authorities continued their investigations in order to find the sources of contamination.

Eight new cases of légionellose were announced to the north of Lyon in the Rhone and Ain, one learned Thursday near the prefecture from the Rhone which considered from now on the situation "serious". "We passed from a situation of day before to a serious situation", explained at the time of a press conference Emmanuel Berthier, prefect delegated to the safety of the Rhone.

These new cases are added indeed to the twelve cases listed by the hospital doctors of the Rhone since the end of April. "One expects new declarations. But the number remains impossible to know ", specified Anne-Marie Durand, doctor with the DDASS (departmental Direction of the medical and social businesses) of the Rhone.

The sources of contamination has not been identified  as yet.

Turns aéroréfrigérantes? Publicity The medical services carry out their research on a perimeter of 20km on the communes of Caluire, Rillieux, Villeurbanne and Vaulx-in-Velin where domiciled the majority of the contaminated people. They check in particular the systems of turns aéroréfrigérantes, sources considered to be more "probable".

 The touched people have between 46 and 86 years. Thursday evening, fifteen were still hospitalized, of which one in reanimation.  

UPDATE

Two other cases of légionellose in the area of Lyon

Fri May 13, 2005

CEST LYON

Two more cases of légionellose was announced Friday in the Lyons area, which changes to 22 the number of people  listed since April 28. The two last victims are  men of 51 and 73 years.

On the 22 patients, ages are  from 46 to 86 years, 14 were always hospitalized Friday, including two in intensive care unit.

The prefect of the Rhone took a series of measurements to try to identify the source of contamination, in waiting of the results of the taking away carried out on twelve lathes aéroréfrigérantes. "the prefecture asked for the suspension of all new starting of turns aéroréfrigérantes", declared at the time of a press conference the secretary-general of the prefecture, Christophe Bay. "It was also asked that are realized without delay the cleaning and the disinfection of the equipment already in service", it continued. The prefect also prohibited the brumisation of the fruit and vegetables in the supermarkets.

These measurements raise of the principle of precaution", specified Christophe Bay. After the inspection of the twelve turns Thursday, the services of the DDASS (departmental direction of the medical and social action) continued Friday their investigations by inspecting 30 new establishments in the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration and the south of the department of Ain.

The whole of the DDASS of France have in addition as a directive to seek, at the people reached by the disease, those which could have attended the Lyons area these last days.

UPDATE

LYON, May 14, 2005

Epidemic of légionellose close to Lyon: 3 new cases

Three new cases of légionellose were detected in the Rhone, which changes to 25 the number of patients listed since the beginning of the epidemic at the end of April with the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration, announced Saturday the prefecture of the Rhone. These three new cases concern two men and a woman, of which two domiciled with Rillieux-the-Pope and at Sathonay-village. One of the patients was briefly hospitalized and left the hospital. The two others are neat in their residence, indicated the prefecture in an official statement.

The 25 patients identified since the beginning of the epidemic reside all in communes of the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration, located in the Rhone or Ain, department bordering, in a sector being spread out over approximately 20 km. But no other bond could be established between them for the moment, according to DDASS'S. The epidemic touched 19 men and 6 women, old from 46 to 86 years. Prefecture had Saturday not new information concerning fourteen people which was always hospitalized Friday, including two in reanimation, but that means that "il does not have there aggravation" of their state, ensured a spokesman.

The authorities had widened Friday their perimeter of investigation to try to find the sources of contamination, research relating mainly to lathes aéroréfrigérantes. While waiting for the result of taking away carried out Thursday on 12 lathes, the prefecture ordered with the owners establishments to disinfect them for those which were under operation, or to suspend their handing-over goes from there for those which were with the stop.

The prefect also ordered with three stores fruit and vegetables to stop their system of water brumisation, while waiting for the results of tests within 10 days. The medical authorities had been interested Friday in about thirty other establishments the Rhone using the turns aéroréfrigérantes in Lyon, Villeurbanne, Rillieux-the-Pope, Caluire and Vaulx-in-Velin. In addition, the national Institute of medical day before required of the doctors inspectors of the whole of the DDASS confronted with possible cases of légionellose to require of the patient if it had attended the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration.

UPDATE

UPDATE

LYON 15 May 2005

  The continuous epidemic of légionellose to progress in the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration, concerning from now on 34 people, whereas the medical authorities took Sunday of new measurements to reduce the risks of contamination.

 Sunday, nine new cases were detected, including 7 in the Rhone or Ain, but also a case in Isere and a case in Coast of Armor.

These two cases external at the zone of contamination were detected thanks to the national system of day before. They are "people who spent several days, between the 20 and on April 25, in the area", specified Anne-Marie Durand, doctor-inspector of Ddass of the Rhone.

The latter did not have information on their health. On the other hand, on the 32 cases listed since the beginning of the epidemic at the end of April in the Rhone and Ain, all old from 44 to 86 years, 17 are hospitalized, of which a person in reanimation, but "her state improves", ensured Mrs. Durand. The medical authorities made a point of being shown reassuring as for the propagation of the disease, explaining why certain listed cases these last days are in fact of the old contaminations from which the diagnosis just comes to be made.

The prefecture nevertheless made the decision to close the stations of washing of cars in the communes of Caluire and Rillieux-the-Pope (the Rhone). "the stations of washing cannot be the sources first of contamination, since the jets do not make it possible to project very the bacteria far, but they can become secondary sources", it explained. In the same way, 5 news towers aéroréfrigérantes was stopped, bearing to 17 the number of installations whose prefect ordered the disinfection or the suspension of their restarting. The prefecture also asked for to the farmers these two communes of use water disinfected for the irrigation, while waiting for the results of the taking away carried out in the water tanks. "Tuesday should receive to us a score of results of taking away carried out last week, which will allow us, progressively, to refine our research to find the source principal of contamination

UPDATE

Légionellose: 34 cases close to Lyon

The epidemic of légionellose continues to progress in the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration, concerning from now on 34 people. The medical authorities took Sunday of new measurements to reduce the risks of contamination.

The epidemic of légionellose in the North-East of the Lyons agglomeration touches from now on 34 people. Last nine new cases were detected Sunday: 7 in the Rhone or Ain, but also a case in Isere and a case in Coast of Armor. These two cases external at the zone of contamination were detected thanks to the national system of day before. They are "people who spent several days, between the 20 and on April 25, in the area", specified Anne-Marie Durand, doctor-inspector of Ddass of the Rhone. The latter did not have information on their health.

On the other hand, on the 32 cases listed since the beginning of the epidemic at the end of April in the Rhone and Ain, all old from 44 to 86 years, 17 are hospitalized, of which a person in reanimation, but "her state improves", ensured Anne-Marie Durand.

The medical authorities made a point of being shown reassuring as for the propagation of the disease, explaining why certain listed cases these last days are in fact of the old contaminations from which the diagnosis just comes to be made. "On the 7 cases detected in the Rhone and Ain Sunday, 4 present symptoms since more than one week, but the diagnosis has just reached us", explained Anne-Marie Durand. She added that if 34 cases were already listed in 10 days, whereas 86 cases, whose 17 mortals had been it in two months and half during the last great epidemic, in Pas-de-Calais at the winter 2004, that is due to the "very strong mobilization of the doctors, the laboratories, the medical personnel which immediately practises tests of checks at any person presenting of the fever or cough".

New awaited cases

The time of incubation which can reach 10 days, of new cases should be announced until the nearest weekend, before being done rarer, it ensured. "That does not mean that measurements taken up to now are not effective, but it takes time that all the cases are identified", explained Christophe Bay, secretary-general of the Prefecture.

The prefecture nevertheless made the decision to close the stations of washing of car in the communes of Caluire and Rillieux-the-Pope, in the Rhone. In the same way, 5 news towers aéroréfrigérantes was stopped, bearing to 17 the number of installations whose prefect ordered the disinfection or the suspension of their restarting. The prefecture also asked for to the farmers these two communes of use water disinfected for the irrigation, while waiting for the results of the taking away carried out in the water tanks.

Update

Press release:

health Point

légionellose at May 18, 2005

CABINET OF the PREFET

No new case was recorded this Wednesday May 18 in North Is Lyons agglomeration and the south of the department of Ain.

The total number of cases listed between the 3 and on May 18 are thus 34 (26 in the Rhone, 6 in Ain and 2 cases in Isere and in the Coasts of Armor.) In the Rhone, 11 people are hospitalized, 14 left the hospital and 7 people are neat in residence.

* The helicopter of civil safety, equipped with cameras and a thermal camera, carried out an air monitoring yesterday. This operation which in particular aimed at counting the turns not yet declared made it possible to identify 16 installations suitable for shelter TAR for which controls then, if necessary of the taking away, will be carried out. New results of analysis arrived today: * Concerning the brumisateurs, the results of analyses, carried out in 3 stores of fruit and vegetables, do not reveal the presence of légionelle (negative results). *

Concerning the systems of irrigation; the results are there too negative.

 * For the TAR (turns aéroréfrigérantes) 18 sites were listed in the perimeter brought closer on May 17. 4 new sites are integrated as from this day in the field of the analyses. 7 results are known today: -- 3 sites (company VALORLY with Rillieux-the-Pope, the Hotel IBIS OPTI PARK in Caluire, the Private clinic of the Safeguard in Lyon 9th) had negative results at 5 days. -- 4 sites reveal the presence of colonies: complementary analyses are in hand to identify the species and to proceed to a precise enumeration recall: 100 000 = obligatory stop of the installation and decontamination The other measurements of precaution decided by the Prefect are maintained:

* On the communes of Caluire and Rillieux-the-Pope: stop of the operation of the water jets and cascades functioning in closed loop, which they are located in open or closed medium. *

 Prohibition of operation of the stations of washing of cars on the communes of Caluire and Rillieux-the-Pope. * Suspension of starting of the news of turns air coolers. * For the turns already in service, realization without delay, of their cleaning and their disinfection and restarting suspended with a prefectoral authorization. The start-up of the installations presenting of the negative results will be authorized as soon as possible.

Contact presse préfecture

 04 72 61 60 14 / 04  72 61 65 27 / 06 12 32 05 83
http://www.sante.gouv.fr/htm/pointsur/legionellose

Contact presse :
Djenny GROSPELLIER
Préfecture du Rhône
Service communication
tel : 04 72 61 66 84
fax : 04 72 61 67 58

Communiqué de presse : santé

Point légionellose au 18 Mai 2005

CABINET DU PREFET

Aucun nouveau cas n'a été enregistré ce mercredi 18 mai dans le Nord Est de l'agglomération lyonnaise et le sud du département de l'Ain.

Le nombre total de cas recensés entre le 3 et le 18 mai est donc de 34 (26 dans le Rhône, 6 dans l'Ain et 2 cas en Isère et dans les Côtes d'Armor.)
Dans le Rhône, 11 personnes sont hospitalisées, 14 sont sorties de l'hôpital et 7 personnes sont soignées à domicile.

* L'hélicoptère de la sécurité civile, équipé d'appareils photographiques et d'une caméra thermique, a effectué hier une surveillance aérienne. Cette opération qui visait notamment à recenser les tours non encore déclarées a permis d'identifier 16 installations susceptibles d'abriter des TAR pour lesquelles des contrôles puis, le cas échéant des prélèvements, seront réalisés.

De nouveaux résultats d'analyse sont parvenus aujourd'hui :

* Concernant les brumisateurs, les résultats d'analyses, réalisées
dans 3 magasins de fruits et légumes, ne révèlent pas la présence de légionelle (résultats négatifs).

* Concernant les systèmes d'irrigation ; les résultats sont là aussi négatifs.

* Pour les TAR (tours aéroréfrigérantes)
18 sites étaient recensés dans le périmètre rapproché le 17 mai.
4 nouveaux sites sont intégrés à compter de ce jour dans le champ des analyses.

7 résultats sont aujourd'hui connus :
--> 3 sites (la société VALORLY à Rillieux-la-Pape, l'Hôtel IBIS OPTI PARC à Caluire, la Clinique de la Sauvegarde à Lyon 9ème,) ont présenté des résultats négatifs à 5 jours.
--> 4 sites révèlent la présence de colonies : des analyses complémentaires sont en cours pour identifier la souche et procéder à un dénombrement précis.
rappel : 100 000 = arrêt obligatoire de l'installation et
décontamination

Les autres mesures de précaution décidées par le Préfet sont maintenues :
* Sur les communes de Caluire et Rillieux-la-Pape : arrêt du fonctionnement des jets d'eau et cascades fonctionnant en circuit fermé, qu'ils se situent en milieu ouvert ou fermé.
* Interdiction de fonctionnement des stations de lavage de voitures sur les communes de Caluire et Rillieux-la-Pape.
* Suspension de mise en marche  des nouvelles de tours
aéro-réfrigérantes.
* Pour les tours déjà en service, réalisation sans délai, de leur nettoyage et de leur désinfection et remise en marche suspendue à une autorisation préfectorale.


La remise en service des installations présentant des résultats négatifs sera autorisée dans les meilleurs délais.


Contact presse préfecture 04 72 61 60 14 / 04  72 61 65 27 / 06 12 32 05 83
http://www.sante.gouv.fr/htm/pointsur/legionellose

Contact presse :
Djenny GROSPELLIER
Préfecture du Rhône
Service communication
tel : 04 72 61 66 84
fax : 04 72 61 67 58

UPDATE

Press release:

 health

Point légionellose at May 18, 2005

CABINET OF the PREFET

No new case was recorded this Wednesday May 18 in North Is Lyons agglomeration and the south of the department of Ain. The total number of cases listed between the 3 and on May 18 are thus 34 (26 in the Rhone, 6 in Ain and 2 cases in Isere and in the Coasts of Armor.) In the Rhone, 11 people are hospitalized, 14 left the hospital and 7 people are neat in residence. * The helicopter of civil safety, equipped with cameras and a thermal camera, carried out an air monitoring yesterday.

This operation which in particular aimed at counting the turns not yet declared made it possible to identify 16 installations suitable for shelter TAR for which controls then, if necessary of the taking away, will be carried out. New results of analysis arrived today: * Concerning the brumisateurs, the results of analyses, carried out in 3 stores of fruit and vegetables, do not reveal the presence of légionelle (negative results). * Concerning the systems of irrigation; the results are there too negative. * For the TAR (turns aéroréfrigérantes) 18 sites were listed in the perimeter brought closer on May 17. 4 new sites are integrated as from this day in the field of the analyses. 7 results are known today: -- 3 sites (company VALORLY with Rillieux-the-Pope, the Hotel IBIS OPTI PARK in Caluire, the Private clinic of the Safeguard in Lyon 9th) had negative results at 5 days. -- 4 sites reveal the presence of colonies: complementary analyses are in hand to identify the species and to proceed to a precise enumeration recall: 100 000 = obligatory stop of the installation and decontamination The other measurements of precaution decided by the Prefect are maintained:

 * On the communes of Caluire and Rillieux-the-Pope: stop of the operation of the water jets and cascades functioning in closed loop, which they are located in open or closed medium. * Prohibition of operation of the stations of washing of cars on the communes of Caluire and Rillieux-the-Pope. * Suspension of starting of the news of turns air coolers. * For the turns already in service, realization without delay, of their cleaning and their disinfection and restarting suspended with a prefectoral authorization.

The start-up of the installations presenting of the negative results will be authorized as soon as possible.

Contact presse préfecture

04 72 61 60 14 / 04  72 61 65 27 / 06 12 32 05 83
http://www.sante.gouv.fr/htm/pointsur/legionellose

Contact presse :
Djenny GROSPELLIER
Préfecture du Rhône
Service communication
tel : 04 72 61 66 84
fax : 04 72 61 67 58

Press release: sante

LEGIONELLOSE  MAY 23 2005

CABINET OF THE PREFET

At May 23 there is not again case (always 34 cases listed between the 3 and on May 21 including 26 in the Rhone, 6 in Ain and 1 in Isere and 1 in the Coasts of Armor, these people having remained in the zone concerned.
In the Rhone 4 people are hospitalized of which only one in reanimation, 21 left the hospital and 7 neat in residence.

The second identification of human species made it possible today to confirm that it acts there too - as the identified first - of  légionella  pneumophila  sérogroupe 1, with identical genotype.
The comparison between these 2 human speciess and speciess of origin environmental, today discovered on 3 sites having revealed presence of colonies, did not make it possible, at this stage, to identify the origin of contamination. The analyses continue.

To date,

* For the TAR (turns aéroréfrigérantes)
On the 26 sites included/understood in the perimeter of analysis:
* 10 are with the stop since the autumn 2004. A disinfection will be made.
* 5 sites were put out of cause, after analysis of the taking away at 5 days: AREVA with Villeurbanne, MESSIER BUGATI in Villeurbanne, company VALORLY with Rillieux-the-Pope, the Hotel IBIS OPTI PARK with Caluire, the Private clinic of the Safeguard in Lyon 9th)
A prefectoral decree will enable them to give their TAR under operation, insofar as they produce the certificate of draining, the cleaning and the disinfection of their installations.
They will be then subjected to controls: after 48 hours of operation, then after 15 days.
* 4 sites revealed the presence of complementary colonies:des analyses are always in hand.
* for 7 other sites the results of analysis are awaited

* Acting of the stations of washing of car, the results of the taking away are waited tomorrow Tuesday. If they are negative, they will allow the restarting in the course of the day.

An old woman dies of a légionellose contracted at the hospital19 May 2005
TOULON France