In Poland, an outbreak of a bacterial infection known as “Legionnaires’ disease” in the southeastern city of Zamosc, near the border with Ukraine, killed 14 people and hospitalized more than 150. Local authorities are investigating whether the Legionella pathogen could have entered the city’s water supply, but say there is no data to suggest sabotage.
“We have found nothing to indicate sabotage. Since the city is located near the border with Ukraine and is an important transport hub for weapons deliveries to that country, the authorities would like to rule out some possible scenarios,” Stanislaw Zharyn, a representative of the Polish special services, told Polsat TV. “There is no data on intentional contamination of water intakes.”
Earlier this week, Zharyn confirmed that Polish intelligence is involved in the investigation into the origin of the infection. “We are looking for the source of the contamination. At the moment, the possibility of contamination of the hot and cold water supply network is being considered,” said Adam Sidor of the Regional Sanitary Inspectorate.
Out of 105 water samples currently taken, the first 18 samples have found Legionella bacteria in half of them. “Until we can confirm that the source of the contamination is the water supply, we cannot say for sure. The next few days will be critical,” Sidor said.
According to health officials, the bacteria that caused the illness was found in 113 patients hospitalized in the city of Zheshuv and surrounding areas. Seven of the deceased were between 64 and 95 years old and had other medical conditions. The mayor of Zhezhiv, Conrad Fiollek, announced that the amount of chlorine, ultraviolet rays and ozone used for water purification in the city has been increased to the maximum. According to him, the water supply system will also be flushed and disinfected.
Podcast Advertising. “Legionnaires’ disease (also known as legionellosis, Pittsburgh pneumonia, or Fort Bragg fever) is not spread from person to person. This disease causes inflammation of the lungs and can lead to a severe form of pneumonia. The incubation period is two to 10 days. At first, the disease resembles the flu. Patients feel general fatigue, their temperature rises (up to 39.5 degrees or even higher), they experience headaches and muscle aches, and develop a dry cough. As the disease progresses, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting, and hallucinations may occur.”
“The disease is caused by waterborne Legionella bacteria, which become active when the temperature rises. The most common sources of infection are the water supply systems of large buildings, cooling towers, air conditioning systems, fountains and ponds, and showers, such as those in the locker rooms of public swimming pools. According to the World Health Organization, the most common form of disease transmission is the inhalation of contaminated aerosols, which are formed when water sprays, flows, or mists from contaminated water sources.”
“The disease takes its name from the first known outbreak, which occurred in 1976 at a Philadelphia hotel where an American Legion veterans’ conference was being held. At that time, more than 220 people became ill, 34 of whom died.”
