British holidaymakers are being warned about an outbreak of a lethal disease that has already claimed four lives.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Foreign Office-supported Travel Health Pro website have both drawn attention to the issue.
The ECDC has issued a new update confirming the presence of Legionnaires’ disease in several areas within the metropolitan boundary of Milan – notably Corsico and Buccinasco – in the Lombardy Region of Italy.
At present, a dozen individuals are receiving hospital treatment. As of August 19, data indicates there have been 53 confirmed infections and four deaths.
Officials are currently engaged in efforts to stop the further spread of the disease and prevent new cases. Authorities have warned that people in the area could be at risk, particularly as the source is still unknown.
The ECDC has reported cases ranging in age from 26 to 94, noting that all four of the deceased were over 70 years old and had additional health complications, reports Bristol Live.
Currently, 12 patients are under hospital care, while 37 who were admitted have now been discharged; and officials have reported four deaths linked to the outbreak.
Authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation to identify the source of an outbreak, with the ECDC stating: “Epidemiological, microbiological, and environmental investigations continue.
“Water samples have been collected from several sampling sites of the municipal water supply system, both from the private residence water systems of patients/control cases and from cooling towers.”
“The collection of respiratory samples from patients and typing of isolated Legionella strains is ongoing to assist determination of the outbreak source.
“Public health activities continue to be implemented to prevent transmission and emergence of new cases, including a chemical disinfection with chlorine of the municipal water supply system and of private residences.”
It has been noted that Legionnaires’ disease, caused by water vapour laden with Legionella bacteria, significantly threatens those over 50, immunocompromised individuals, or people with existing health conditions.