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http://www.pe.terra.com/salud/interna/0,,OI5303458-EI5479,00.html
Spanish to English translation
U.S.: Cases of Legionnaires' disease have tripled in a decade
The cases of Legionnaire's disease, or legionellosis, have tripled in the last decade, officials said on Thursday U.S. health
Legionnaire's disease most often strikes the elderly and can cause fatal pneumonia. The germ is spread through the mist or vapor of contaminated water or air conditioning systems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, for its acronym in English) 3522 reported cases in 2009, the highest number since the Legionnaires' disease was first identified in 1976. There were only 1110 cases in 2000. CDC officials believe the increase may be due in part to more elderly.
Undoubtedly, Legionnaire's disease is still rare. Only 8% of the victims died in the last decade, compared to 20% in the 1980 and 1990. But it still kills hundreds of Americans each year. Despite the low number of cases, experts believe the disease affects, and even hospitalization, thousands each year whose cases go unreported.
The increase in cases is worrisome, said study co-author, Dr. Lee Hampton, a CDC epidemiologist. "We have to minimize the risk of people dying from this," he said.
The disease gets its name from an outbreak in an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976, when over 200 people became ill and 34 died. The outbreak resulted in strong media coverage, and months later, medical researchers pointed to the bacterial cause. The germ apparently had spread to the hotel to the convention through the air conditioning system.
The first signs of the disease can include high fever, chills and cough. Fortunately, some of the most used drugs for pneumonia are first-line treatment of legionellosis.
The cases of the disease remained relatively stable in the 1980 and 1990, but increased since 2000.
CDC depend on doctors, hospitals and state health departments report cases when they occur, and agency officials believe that the national case count is underestimated.
Spanish to English translation
U.S.: Cases of Legionnaires' disease have tripled in a decade
The cases of Legionnaire's disease, or legionellosis, have tripled in the last decade, officials said on Thursday U.S. health
Legionnaire's disease most often strikes the elderly and can cause fatal pneumonia. The germ is spread through the mist or vapor of contaminated water or air conditioning systems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, for its acronym in English) 3522 reported cases in 2009, the highest number since the Legionnaires' disease was first identified in 1976. There were only 1110 cases in 2000. CDC officials believe the increase may be due in part to more elderly.
Undoubtedly, Legionnaire's disease is still rare. Only 8% of the victims died in the last decade, compared to 20% in the 1980 and 1990. But it still kills hundreds of Americans each year. Despite the low number of cases, experts believe the disease affects, and even hospitalization, thousands each year whose cases go unreported.
The increase in cases is worrisome, said study co-author, Dr. Lee Hampton, a CDC epidemiologist. "We have to minimize the risk of people dying from this," he said.
The disease gets its name from an outbreak in an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976, when over 200 people became ill and 34 died. The outbreak resulted in strong media coverage, and months later, medical researchers pointed to the bacterial cause. The germ apparently had spread to the hotel to the convention through the air conditioning system.
The first signs of the disease can include high fever, chills and cough. Fortunately, some of the most used drugs for pneumonia are first-line treatment of legionellosis.
The cases of the disease remained relatively stable in the 1980 and 1990, but increased since 2000.
CDC depend on doctors, hospitals and state health departments report cases when they occur, and agency officials believe that the national case count is underestimated.