_|NORWAY: TWO FATAL SUSPECTED CASES OF LEGIONELLOSIS|_

[Giuseppe]

2008-07-21 19:18:34 - Epidemic Hazard - Norway - EDIS CODE: EP-20080721-17657-NOR - Date & Time: 2008-07-21 19:18:34 [UTC]

Area: Norway, ?stfold, Sarpsborg, Fredrikstad, !!! WARNING !!!

Description:
Two people have died in what appears to be an outbreak of the respiratory illness Legionnaire's disease in southeastern Norway, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health cautioned on Monday.

"Much indicates that there is an outbreak of Legionnaires disease in the Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad area (east of Oslo)," the agency said in a statement.

Five people have been infected with the Legionella bacteria since mid-June, and one of them died at the beginning of this month with the second succumbing last Friday, it added.

"So far we have confirmed that two people were infected with the same bacteria strain. This indicates that other cases could also be linked and that there therefore is an outbreak of Legionnaires disease," the statement said.

All of those infected were over 50 years of age and the first man to die had been suffering from a previous life-threatening disease, the public health institute said, adding that it had yet to identify the source of the infection.

The two towns at the centre of the current possible outbreak were also the scene of a 2005 Legionnaire's epidemic that killed at least 10 people.

Authorities "have investigated showers in the patients' homes and taken samples from installations in the municipalities that could be spreading the Legionella bacteria," the agency said.

The name of Hazard: Legionnaires disease (Susp. Human)
Number of deaths: 2 persons
Damage level: Moderate (Level 2)
Not confirmed information!
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http://visz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?cid=17657&lang=eng
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[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: _|NORWAY: TWO FATAL SUSPECTED CASES OF LEGIONELLOSIS|_

machinetranslation

Possible outbreak of legionella

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health alerts about possible outbreaks of legionella in Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad after a further one infected patient died on Friday.

NTB

Four people in Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg was found infected by legionellabakterien in June, and one of them died July 10.

On Monday the Norwegian Institute of Public Health alerts about possible outbreaks of the disease in ?stfold, after a further one patient who was found infected died Friday.

"There is every indication now on an outbreak of legionella in Sarpsborg. It is pending answers to several tests which are likely to be released at the end of the week.

Currently, there are confirmation that two people have been infected with the same bakteriestamme.

This indicates that even more cases may be linked with each other and that therefore, it is an outbreak of legionellasyndrome., "Writes the Norwegian Institute of Public Health on its website.

http://www.budstikka.no/sec_nyheter/sec_innenriks/article189732.ece

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: _|NORWAY: TWO FATAL SUSPECTED CASES OF LEGIONELLOSIS|_

Two die in possible Legionnaire's outbreak in Norway: agency

Tuesday ? July 22, 2008

Two people have died in what appears to be an outbreak of the respiratory illness Legionnaire's disease in southeastern Norway, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health cautioned on Monday.

"Much indicates that there is an outbreak of Legionnaires disease in the Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad area (east of Oslo)," the agency said in a statement.

Five people have been infected with the Legionella bacteria since mid-June, and one of them died at the beginning of this month with the second succumbing last Friday, it added.

"So far we have confirmed that two people were infected with the same bacteria strain. This indicates that other cases could also be linked and that there therefore is an outbreak of Legionnaires disease," the statement said.

All of those infected were over 50 years of age and the first man to die had been suffering from a previous life-threatening disease, the public health institute said, adding that it had yet to identify the source of the infection.

The two towns at the centre of the current possible outbreak were also the scene of a 2005 Legionnaire's epidemic that killed at least 10 people.

Authorities "have investigated showers in the patients' homes and taken samples from installations in the municipalities that could be spreading the Legionella bacteria," the agency said.

Following the 2005 outbreak, authorities "have a good overview over possible sources ... All known installations have been disinfected or will be in coming days," it added.

Legionnaire's disease causes high fever, a dry cough, lung congestion and subsequent pneumonia. It is commonly spread through contaminated air conditioning and public water systems and is treated with antibiotics. ? AFP

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/266312.asp