(ANSA) – ROME, SEPTEMBER 5 – Since last April, 54 cases of legionellosis have been reported in the province of Milan, one more than the previous week, and four patients have died (all were over 70 years old and had pre-existing diseases). The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) provides an update on the epidemic outbreak, reporting the data available as of September 2, 2024.
Of the total cases, 48 (equal to 89%) were identified in the Municipality of Corsico and 6 (11%) in the Municipality of Buccinasco, with an average age of 71.9 years. A total of 48 cases (89%) presented risk factors, 8 are still hospitalized and 42 patients have been discharged.
Legionellosis is a lung infection caused by the naturally occurring bacterium Legionella pneumophila. If the bacterium reaches artificial environments such as water systems in buildings, such as tanks, pipes, fountains and swimming pools, these “can act as amplifiers and disseminators of the microorganism, creating a potential health risk situation”. In the Milan area, the search for the origin of the contaminated water continues. The health authorities of the Milan Health Protection Agency, the ISS recalls, “are actively engaged in the implementation of specific epidemiological, microbiological and environmental investigations and in the implementation of prevention and control activities, aimed at preventing the onset of new cases”, in collaboration with the Mayors and in coordination with the Prevention Unit of the General Welfare Directorate of the Lombardy Region and the Ministry of Health.
(ANSA).
2024-09-06 12:48:28