Woman infected with Legionnaire’s disease dies

A 95-YEAR-old woman infected with the Legionnaire’s disease died at Hospital Virgen de los Lirios in Alcoy. But the Department of Health denies that the cause of her death was Legionnaire’s stating that she suffered from multiple illnesses.

They did confirm that there is another patient affected by the bacteria admitted to the same hospital, who is in stable condition. “These are two isolated cases, as no relationship between the sufferers was found,” according to the Health Department. The possibility of a new outbreak of the disease was ruled out, although they have launched a special surveillance protocol as a preventative measure.

With the high temperatures there is a greater risk of the bacteria proliferating. Legionella first made an appearance in Alcoy in 199 and since then 16 outbreaks have been recorded, more than 300 people affected and claimed at least 12 lives.

The virulence of the bacteria in the early years forced the city to be declared as a Special Action Zone which led to a strict series of preventative measures which were withdrawn in late 2007.

The latest confirmed outbreak was a year ago and affected 16 people. The sources of the contagion sources were closed down. Two of the water stations reestablished service two months ago while the third remains closed.

By Nicole Hallett