Three people have died in Milan after being diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease as an outbreak strikes the Italian city.
Health authorities in the country are scrambling to find what caused the infections, and believe it could have been in the water supply.
Around 90 percent of people who have been exposed to legionella bacteria don’t develop symptoms any symptoms, and while the NHS refers to the condition as “uncommon” it also warns it can be “very serious”.
Up to 15 per cent of those who do become ill after being exposed to it can suffer from severe disease, developing pneumonia, which can be deadly.
Since the outbreak began on April 11, when the first case began reporting symptoms, at least 49 cases of the disease have been recorded in Italy’s Lombardy region, according to the European Center of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) figures.
The organisation says the numbers are correct as of August 8. The most recent case saw symptoms first appear on July 28.
All of the cases so far have been people between the ages of 26 and 94, with 28 women affected and 21 men. Most of them (45) an underlying health condition of some kind, which meant they had a higher risk of developing a serious illness.
About 12 of the 49 confirmed cases are receiving treatment in hospital, while three have died, according to the ECDC.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the bacteria is most commonly transmitted through the inhalation of infected water sprays, jets or mists from contaminated water sources.
People can also catch it from contaminated pools and even air conditioning systems. Inspections are taking place at cooling towers in the region as well as cleaning water systems with chlorine, as officials look for sources of the outbreak and attempt to stop the spread.
There are five main symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease to spot, according to the NHS.
- A cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort, particularly when breathing or coughing
- A high temperature
- Flu-like symptoms.
However, if the symptoms become more serious it is important you seek an urgent GP appointment or call 111 for advice.
This includes if you experience:
- A cough that’s lasted three weeks or more
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain that comes and goes, or happens when breathing or coughing
- Feeling short of breath.
Legionella bacteria can lurk in taps and showers that aren’t being used regularly, prompting some experts to urge travellers let water run in bathrooms before using appliances.
According to the Legionella and Fire Safe website around half of the 300 Brits infected with Legionnaire’s disease annually pick it up while travelling abroad.
