World Health Organization (WHO) issues alert over current situation As of September 11, 2023, a total of 166 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in Poland, including 23 deaths.
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The increase in confirmed cases, hospitalizations and related deaths since mid-August is classified as “abnormal” compared to reports recorded since 2016.
Legionnaires’ disease, commonly known as Legionnaires’ disease, is a pneumonia-like illness caused by bacteria. Its severity ranges from mild symptoms to fatal pneumonia.
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It is mainly contracted by inhaling bacteria found in water or soil, and so far there have been no reports of human-to-human transmission.
Polish health authorities are stepping up efforts to deal with the crisis. A collective investigation is ongoing and new cases are being actively sought to identify any additional cases.
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Additionally, public health measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease. Although there have been no new cases since September 7, the specific source of infection has not yet been determined.
Ongoing investigations are revealing the true nature of the outbreak. According to preliminary results of epidemiological investigations, the first case of Legionnaires’ disease can be traced back to July 30, with most affected persons developing symptoms between August 12 and 16.
The people most affected by the disease belong to the age group of 60 to 90 years. The most recent reported case date is August 29. The 23 deceased all had underlying comorbidities and ranged in age from 53 to 98 years old, including 11 women and 12 men.
Legionella, symptoms and treatment
Legionnaires’ disease, called the pneumonic form, Its incubation period ranges from 2 to 10 days, but incubation periods of up to 16 days have been recorded in some outbreaks.
It is an important cause of pneumonia acquired in community and hospital settings. Although rare, Legionella can cause outbreaks and pose a public health risk.
Initial symptoms include fever, mild cough, loss of appetite, headache, malaise, and lethargy. Some patients may also experience muscle pain, diarrhea, and confusion. The severity of the disease can range from a mild cough to rapidly fatal pneumonia. If left untreated, the condition often gets worse in the first week.
Mortality associated with Legionnaires’ disease depends on a variety of factors, including severity, early initiation of antibiotic treatment, location of Legionella infection, and the presence of underlying medical conditions, including immunosuppression.
Without adequate treatment, the mortality rate in immunocompromised patients may reach 40% to 80%, but depending on the severity of clinical symptoms, with adequate medical care, the mortality rate can be significantly reduced to 5% to 30% %. Generally speaking, the mortality rate is usually between 5% and 10%.
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*This content was produced with the help of artificial intelligence based on information from Europa Press and reviewed by journalists and editors.