The director-general of public health, Maria Ramos, has said today (Thursday) that the legionella outbreak in Palmanova is under control. There may be further notification of cases, she explained, but these will not be new cases; rather, they will relate to September or early October.
Ramos added that investigations are continuing and that, together with the local police, they are "combing the area". All sources have been more or less identified and closed. Her department and Calvia town hall have shut down the water supply in a hotel where several cases were detected as well as water from showers on the beach, in ornamental fountains and from garden sprinklers. Hotels are disinfecting as a precautionary measure.
Of the nineteen cases, most were reported once visitors had returned home. With one exception, everyone affected has recovered or is recovering. The one death was a seventy-year-old man who was also suffering from various complaints, such as leukemia and diabetes.
Thirteen UK holidaymakers, including the man who has died, were among those affected; their ages have been given as being 46 and 87.
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Hi time to ban "mist air conditioning systems on bar and restaurant terraces. Can't think of a better way to fill people lungs with contaminated moister droplets, customers and passers by, legionella does not discriminate. Just for the record there have been cases of all ages being affected.
It has very "flu like" symptoms, same incubation period, and about the same level of risk as flu. It affects, as flu does, the immuno-compromised (such as the old and infirm, the very young, and, in this case 70 yo with leukemia & other things) but if youre in good health its not a huge issue. Hotels in Mallorca are required to do a legionella treatment of their hot & cold water and iarcon systems, as well as do daily tests on water and pools. My guess is the prolonged hot weather has created an infection somewhere.
What are the symptoms of this desease ?. How can people avoid contracting the infection ?.
Goodness. Hot on the heels of the false sickness scam. Prediction for the UK media headlines next week;"Brits Caught Up in Mallorca Scam"