Warning to travellers about Legionnaires cases in Spain

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning Northern Ireland holidaymakers travelling to Spain this summer to be aware of signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease following an alert of 12 new cases in Costa Blanca.

The cases have been associated with the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca. This is the third cluster of Legionnaires’ cases associated with the hotel this year; bringing the total since the start of 2012 to 33.

The hotel has now been temporarily closed while the Spanish authorities continue their investigations into the source of the outbreak. Five of the cases are from Belgium and seven from Spain, there have been no additional cases in UK residents since May.

Dr Brian Smyth, Health Protection Consultant, PHA, said: “We are advising those travelling to the Mediterranean to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Legionnaires' disease, which is a form of pneumonia.   Travellers to Spain in particular, who develop flu-like illness while there or within two weeks of their return should seek medical advice immediately.

“Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person to person. Infection normally occurs after inhaling fine airborne particles containing Legionella bacteria. Such particles could originate from an infected water source such as showers, spa pools or cooling towers. Once this source has been identified a total clean will take place to reduce the risk of further cases.”

Dr Smyth added: “There are four to six cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported each year in Northern Ireland with most having acquired infection outside the UK.  Since 2000 nearly three quarters of these travel associated cases had visited Mediterranean countries in the two weeks before becoming unwell. With the annual holiday season well underway, the PHA is reminding medical professionals and returning travellers to look out for signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease following outbreaks at hotels in Spain and Greece.

“The range of symptoms includes a flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, dry cough and fever, leading on to pneumonia. Diarrhoea sometimes occurs and confusion may develop.

“Although the risk of developing Legionnaires' disease is very low it is important to be aware of the symptoms.  Anyone who develops the symptoms within two weeks of returning from an overseas holiday should seek medical advice from their GP.”