Maasmechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 3 additional cases of Legionella have been recorded in Maasmechelen and surrounding areas. The Department of Health and Welfare has undertaken an investigation, hospitals have been put on alert, and water samples are currently being analysed in a bid to trace the source.
As HLN News reported, health authorities have confirmed 3 new cases of Legionella infection in Maasmechelen and surrounding villages. They mentioned that Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia, which is caused by the bacteria present in the air. Patients suffering from Legionnaires’ disease may experience symptoms such as high fever, cough, muscle aches, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience symptoms of diarrhoea.
High-risk individuals include older adults, people who smoke, and anyone with a weakened immune system. The doctors and hospitals in the area are now alert to stop diagnostic surveillance for new cases of Legionnaires’ disease and are prepared to treat patients. Authorities have indicated it may be critical for early detection and treatment to avoid serious sickness.
What is causing the Legionella outbreak in Maasmechelen?
Health authorities mentioned that Legionella spreads through tiny water droplets that contain the bacteria. People cannot catch it from each other. The bacteria grow best in stagnant water with temperatures between 20°C and 50°C.
Cooling towers, hot water systems, decorative fountains, and poorly maintained plumbing are common sources. The warm water, low flow, and buildup inside this sort of piping are optimal conditions for bacterial growth. Health officials point out that even the smallest water system can become problematic without control and appropriate actions.
“General practitioners and hospitals in the region are on heightened alert for symptoms,”
says Valerie Weekers of the Department of Health and Welfare. The investigation into the source of the infection is still ongoing.
“Using modelling techniques, the Department of Health and Welfare is trying to define the most likely area, take samples, and examine them.”
Belgium 1st reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in 1978, just 2 years after it was first identified in the United States. Since then, Belgium has had regular cases of the illness due to a variety of reasons, usually related to cooling towers, hot water systems, or decorative fountains. There have been several cases, such as a known case in 1999 (Brussels) that affected dozens of people, and more recent clusters (Limburg and Antwerp) in the last decade or so.
