Legionnaires’ cluster in Corfu travellers
The UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said it is aware of nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease in people who have travelled to Corfu since August. The HPA is currently working with colleagues in the UK, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Greek Public Health authorities to collect and share further information regarding a possible source or sources. Although these cases all have a history of recent travel to Corfu, the HPA says that a UK source of infection cannot be ruled out at this stage. As a precautionary measure, though, the HPA will be investigating possible sources in the UK, as well as collaborating with the authorities in Greece in investigating possible sources in Corfu. The patients, whose ages range from 39 to 79, had visited a number of different areas of Corfu. The HPA is advising people going on holiday to Corfu to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, which is a form of pneumonia. If a tourist develops symptoms in Corfu, or within two weeks of returning from Corfu, they are being advised to seek medical advice either from NHS Direct or their GP. Legionnaires’ disease can lead to a severe pneumonia, caused by the legionella bacterium. It is able to survive in water, and may be spread through exposure to water droplets from cooling systems, shower heads, tap faucets etc., and it is important to note that Legionnaires’ cannot be spread from person to person. Symptoms may start between two and 14 days after exposure to a source of the legionella bacterium, often with an initial ‘flu-like’ illness leading on to pneumonia. Legionnaires’ disease is uncommon in the UK, but can be a nasty infection and can lead to complications, and can be fatal. Early antibiotic treatment is important. Professor Nick Phin, head of the Legionnaires’ department at the HPA, said: “We are concerned that UK residents travelling to Corfu should be aware of this potential risk, however we are not suggesting that people change their holiday plans. Legionnaires’ disease is very rare and cannot be spread from person to person so the risk is low.” He added: “We are continuing our investigations so we that can provide the best advice for travellers and minimise the risk of further cases. We will also assist the Greek Public Health authorities in their investigations into a possible source or sources within Corfu. Sometimes a source for the infection is never found, because the bacteria can live in a very wide variety of types of water supply.” The HPA is issuing a briefing note to all GPs asking them to be alert to returning travellers from Corfu with relevant symptoms. The HPA is also working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Federation of Tour Operators to ensure travel agencies are aware of the potential risk to travellers.
The UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said it is aware of nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease in people who have travelled to Corfu since August. The HPA is currently working with colleagues in the UK, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Greek Public Health authorities to collect and share further information regarding a possible source or sources.
Although these cases all have a history of recent travel to Corfu, the HPA says that a UK source of infection cannot be ruled out at this stage. As a precautionary measure, though, the HPA will be investigating possible sources in the UK, as well as collaborating with the authorities in Greece in investigating possible sources in Corfu. The patients, whose ages range from 39 to 79, had visited a number of different areas of Corfu.
The HPA is advising people going on holiday to Corfu to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, which is a form of pneumonia. If a tourist develops symptoms in Corfu, or within two weeks of returning from Corfu, they are being advised to seek medical advice either from NHS Direct or their GP.
Legionnaires’ disease can lead to a severe pneumonia, caused by the legionella bacterium. It is able to survive in water, and may be spread through exposure to water droplets from cooling systems, shower heads, tap faucets etc., and it is important to note that Legionnaires’ cannot be spread from person to person. Symptoms may start between two and 14 days after exposure to a source of the legionella bacterium, often with an initial ‘flu-like’ illness leading on to pneumonia. Legionnaires’ disease is uncommon in the UK, but can be a nasty infection and can lead to complications, and can be fatal. Early antibiotic treatment is important. Professor Nick Phin, head of the Legionnaires’ department at the HPA, said: “We are concerned that UK residents travelling to Corfu should be aware of this potential risk, however we are not suggesting that people change their holiday plans. Legionnaires’ disease is very rare and cannot be spread from person to person so the risk is low.” He added: “We are continuing our investigations so we that can provide the best advice for travellers and minimise the risk of further cases. We will also assist the Greek Public Health authorities in their investigations into a possible source or sources within Corfu. Sometimes a source for the infection is never found, because the bacteria can live in a very wide variety of types of water supply.”
The HPA is issuing a briefing note to all GPs asking them to be alert to returning travellers from Corfu with relevant symptoms. The HPA is also working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Federation of Tour Operators to ensure travel agencies are aware of the potential risk to travellers.