THREE people have died after being diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease during an outbreak in Milan.
Italian health authorities are scrambling to find the source of the infection, which they believe could be in the water supply.
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Milan experiences an outbreak of Legionnaires’ diseaseCredit: View – Getty
About 90 percent of people exposed legionella the bacteria, which can also be obtained from swimming pools and air conditioners, do not develop symptoms.
But up to 15 percent of those who become ill may suffer from severe disease, which can lead to life-threatening pneumonia.
At least 49 cases of the disease have been reported in the Lombardy region, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which says the August 8 figures are accurate.
The outbreak began on April 11, when the first case began to report symptoms, and the latest case began showing symptoms on July 28.
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All cases are between the ages of 26 and 94, and there are 28 women and 21 men.
Most (45) had some sort of underlying medical condition, which put them at greater risk of serious illness.
About 12 of the 49 confirmed cases are still in hospital, while three have died, according to the ECDC.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most common form of transmission is inhalation of infected water sprays, jets or mist from contaminated water sources.
Authorities are inspecting cooling towers in the region and cleaning water systems with chlorine in an attempt to stop new cases.
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Legionella bacteria can sit in showers and faucets that have not been used for several days, which is why some experts urge tourists to turn on faucets and showers before using them.
About half of the 300 Britons who contract Legionnaires’ disease each year contracted it abroad, according to the Legionella and Fire Safe website.
What are the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease?
These are the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease that you must watch out for:
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- High temperature
- Flu-like symptoms
You may need to go to the hospital if you are diagnosed with the bug.
You should call NHS 111 if you can’t breathe properly, have chest pains or feel like you have a bad flu.
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How to protect yourself from Legionnaires’ disease on vacation
Going on vacation? Here’s how to avoid Legionnaires’ disease with some practical advice from the NHS:
- Choose accommodations with good cleanliness ratings, especially for water features like pools and hot tubs. It is worth checking that they are following strict water conservation practices.
- When you first arrive, run hot water in the shower for a few minutes to flush out any stagnant water that could be harboring bacteria.
- Stick to bottled water, especially in places where water quality is questionable. And if you’re not sure about the ice, you better skip it!
- If after using the hotel facilities you start to feel unwell with symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath, do not ignore it. Get medical help quickly.
- Do not hesitate to ask your hotel about the maintenance of the water system. A little peace goes a long way in keeping your vacation stress-free!
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Source: HIS Education