Nordic Tourists Acquire Legionnaires' Disease In Thailand

[george]

BREAKING NEWS:

Nordic tourists acquire Legionnaires' disease in Thailand

Legionella may hinder trips to Phuket

PHUKET: -- Some of the winter holidaymakers who have booked their trips to Phuket through the Finnish travel operator Aurinkomatkat may have to cancel their vacation entirely or at least change their destination, as all hotels in Phuket are filled to capacity.

All Finns resident in the Grand Tropicana Hotel in Phuket are being transferred to other accommodation, and the popular beach resort hotel will not be used until it has been satisfactorily demonstrated whether or not dangerous Legionella bacteria are hiding in its water and air-conditioning systems.

It has been confirmed so far that four Nordic tourists aged 24 to 66 have contracted Legionnaires' disease after staying in the hotel.

In addition, a Finnish traveller who was resident at the hotel about a year ago evidently fell ill with the disease.

Furthermore, another Finn with a high temperature who recently returned from Phuket was being examined on Wednesday, but it could not be established whether or not he had Legionnaires' disease, and he was released from the hospital.

The water samples from the hotel have not been processed yet.

So far Aurinkomatkat has found new accommodation for about 140 travellers of the 300 Finns who were staying at the Grand Tropicana Hotel at the beginning of the week. Efforts are being made to find another hotel also for the remaining residents, says Tuomo Meretniemi from Aurinkomakat.

New holidaymakers are flying from Finland to Phuket almost every day. All of them are contacted personally prior to their departure in order to negotiate the hotel situation, Meretniemi reports.

Furthermore, Aurinkomatkat has sent letters to around 1,500 clients who have been resident in the hotel since November 20th, advising all persons who have fallen ill with fever of more than 38°C either during the trip or within 14 days after leaving the hotel to go to the doctor immediately. However, if the symptoms have already disappeared, there is no need to seek medical care.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) monitors diseases contracted by the citizens of the European Union's member-states while travelling. The connection between the Legionella patients - the hotel in Phuket - was detected through the ECDC network. The centre also cooperates with the World Health Organisation WHO.

On Thursday, epidemiologist Tran Minh Nhu Nguyen from the National Public Health Institute participated in a phone conference organized by the ECDC. It was stated that even though the water samples taken at the hotel proved negative, there is no knowing whether or not the disease was contracted at that hotel. Hence the situation will take weeks, the epidemiologist predicts.

However, there is no need to cancel any trips to Thailand because of the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, the Norwegian authorities have assured citizens.

--Helsingin Sanomat, FI 2007-01-13

Nordic tourists acquire Legionnaires' disease in Thailand

PHUKET: -- The transfers of hundreds of Finnish tourists have begun from a hotel in Phuket to other accommodation, following an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the popular beach resort hotel.

Two Finns, one Norwegian, and two Swedish tourists have fallen ill with pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, after having stayed at the Phuket Grand Tropicana Hotel in Patong Beach, Phuket. All had been resident at the hotel in the period since November 20th.

Legionnaires' disease does not necessarily cause any symptoms at all, while for patients in poor health the disease can be life-threatening.

The National Public Health Institute has recommended the Finnish travel operator Aurinkomatkat should transfer all its clients from the hotel as soon as possible. The hotel must not be used until the water and air-conditioning systems have been cleaned and appropriate certifications on the completion of the measures have been received.

The National Public Health Institute is urging all persons who have been resident in the hotel since November 20th and have fallen ill with fever of more than 38°C either during the trip or within 14 days after leaving the hotel to go to the doctor as soon as possible. However, if the symptoms have already disappeared, there is no need to seek medical care.

Pneumonia caused by Legionella bacterium can be fatal for the elderly with heart and lung conditions, says epidemiologist Tran Minh Nhu Nguyen from the National Public Health Institute.

The Grand Tropicana has a constant quota of 125 rooms for Finnish travellers, and currently, more than 300 tourists are being acccommodated at the hotel, reports Tom Selänniemi of Aurinkomatkat. Other accommodation has already been found for part of the guests, even though it is not an easy task with the Chinese New Year being celebrated soon.

According to Selänniemi, the travel agency has contacted all its customers who might have been at risk of having contracted the disease. Those who are leaving for Phuket soon have been offered alternative destinations, while the customer is also entitled to cancel the entire trip cost-free.

--Helsingin Sanomat, FI 2007-01-12

[LPCustom69]

Hopefully they can get that taken care of quickly. It just seems like its been bad news on top of bad news lately. Thankfully, bird flu hasn't raised its ugly head for awhile.

[qualtrough]

Not a lot of good news for the tourism industry lately is there?

[LivinLOS]

This has been known about and discussed for the last few days..

Of course the local happy happy tourism promoting papers wont report news like this..

[BigSnake]

Just when you think it can't get any worse, for Thailand Legionnaires Disease raise it ugly head. Can another case of bird flu be far behind. Lord I hope not.

[bubba]

Interesting that they are analysing water samples, since the Legionella bacterium is spread via air and inhalation of mists containing the pathogen.

[britmaveric]

Aircon units or contaminated pools are the usual suspects.

[lingling]

Interesting that they are analysing water samples, since the Legionella bacterium is spread via air and inhalation of mists containing the pathogen.

It lives in water but humans usually contract it by inhaling mist, such as when taking a shower. Flush the shower hose with max heat every now and then to kill them off.

[farang62]

The Legionella bacteria is transmitted in water droplets, it is usually spread by the spray from water towers, and can grow in shower heads that sit with stagnant water in them and the spray is inhaled when the shower is turned on.

The highest incidence of Legionnaires Disease is in Hospitals. Legionnaires Disease is an opportunistic infection and usually attacks the very young, old and persons with a compromised immune system (sick people).

The bacterium can be present in the water pan in A/C units but the fan would need to blow the water in a spray to spread the bacteria. We add a bactericide tablet to all A/C systems we install and maintain, just as a precaution the tablet resolves slowly (over a years time) and also keeps the drain free of algae and smells as well as bacteria.

The good news is the infection is fairly easy to treat with readily available antibiotics, however you need to be looking for it and test for it, (a form of pneumonia)

There are many good articles on the CDC web site on Legionnaires Disease.

[LaoPo]

How Legionnaires’ disease is spread -Legionella-

It can be extremely dangerous and I recall this case still very well; people were just visiting a flower-exhibition and enjoying the flowers and beautiful creations.....32 people died but probably more* !

"Netherlands, 1999

In March 1999, an outbreak in the Netherlands occurred during a flower exhibition in Bovenkarspel. 200 people became ill and at least 32 people died. Probably more people died* from it, but these were buried before the Legionella infection was recognized. The source of the bacteria were probably a whirlpool and a moisturizer in the exhibition area."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legionellosis...sease_is_spread

LaoPo

[boes]

60 degrees celsius and above kills the bacteria. Problem is the sun heated water tanks on the hotel roofs which feeds the showers. They don't reach 60 +. This has been a problem for years - not only here but especially in the mediterrenean area.

[wrecker]

The question should have been, how many people have died already? this is a nasty problem, it all comes down to ignorance. It is all about making money and keeping silent.

[soirsamui]

Proper "in-house" water disinfection and periodically cleansing of the water distribution system in aging buildings and buldings with centrlaized water heating ( togehter with poor insulation) has been neclected since many years in Thailand and also other Asian countries...

It was overdue to happen if you see how many hotels & building are on one side proud or do have no other choice to run their own well, but on the other side do hardly anthing against to prevent nutrients ( organics&phosphate& nitrate) from entering water distribution ( sand filter and that`s all).... This are the main reason for why biofilm can develope in the pipes,.... without nutrient NO bacteria growth... without Biofilm NO grazing ground for Amoebae ( Protozoa) exists,... without Amoebae, growth of Legionella as parasite is hardly possible in high cell counts.... inflating the Amoebe to an maximum extend.....and only a minor hydraulic pressure change is required ( e.g. after opening the water tap) to release them icorporated in aerosols to ...if unlucky right to the breathing nose at the washbasin......

Since in this reported case also a 25 years old hotel guest was infected it can be assumed that the hotel`s water distribution is massed up with biofilm.

Let`s hope that tour operator request in future better QC management from the hotel operation. In Chiangmai a well-known hotel became very nervous after it had to guarantee it to an "50 PLUS" tour operator from England. By far they are now the only own who care water QC here. In fact the "50 plus" group are most prone to get inffected with Legionnaires' disease

Swimming pool QC would be even a hotter topic,.... no country in Asia missuses the so called " 90 chlorine" as disinfectant in such an extend as Thailand. If anybody would dig into the topic " how many Giardia lamblia " cases have been confirmed e.g. in Hospitals like at BangnaTrad Rd., then the hot spots could be easily identified.

I feel pity for dive instructor, who have to conduct courses for so many houres in poorly maintained swimming pools.

[Galong]

BREAKING NEWS:

Nordic tourists acquire Legionnaires' disease in Thailand

Legionella may hinder trips to Phuket

The water samples from the hotel have not been processed yet.

The centre also cooperates with the World Health Organisation WHO.

Hmm, so they don't have any PROOF! but they put this out in the media just to phuk up tourism... that's reasonable.

Oh, WHO is involved. Aren't these the same ass clowns who claimed that more people would die from diseases after the tsunami than die directly because of the tsunami? Screw WHO, they are not to be trusted for anything. Who is WHO? How are they funded? How do they stand to profit from creating unnecessary hysteria

Question Authority!

[melbat]

Please note.. "all hotels in Phuket are full to capacity" It seems to me that tourism in Thailand is doing rather well. I lived in Phuket for 5 years and have never seen so many tourists. Thailand in crisis??? You could have fooled me

[Mid]

Please note.. "all hotels in Phuket are full to capacity" It seems to me that tourism in Thailand is doing rather well. I lived in Phuket for 5 years and have never seen so many tourists. Thailand in crisis??? You could have fooled me

for better or worse ,

Phuket IS NOT Thailand ........................

more like Disneyland

[skorchio]

Not a lot of good news for the tourism industry lately is there?

actually this is the busiest hi season Phuket has ever experienced; that would qualify for 'good news'.......

[Gumballl]

I cannot be certain of this figure, but I bet 90%+ homes in Thailand do not have hot-water in the showers at all, and yet the people are just fine. No Legionnaire disease to speak of, much less any other problems.

I'm hedging my bets that a Finns/Nordics may have contracted the illness during their journey to Thailand, or by interacting with each other.

[lingling]

I cannot be certain of this figure, but I bet 90%+ homes in Thailand do not have hot-water in the showers at all, and yet the people are just fine. No Legionnaire disease to speak of, much less any other problems.

Yes, but when someone dies from it here it will just be put down as pneumonia. No one really cares about cause of death etc here anyway.

The majority of the population will just visit their local clinic or 30 baht hospital who will give them 10 paracetamol and a course of antibiotics - why bother taking blood samples or doing a culture of the stuff they are couging up?

[pythonjack]

How Legionnaires' disease is spread -Legionella-

It can be extremely dangerous and I recall this case still very well; people were just visiting a flower-exhibition and enjoying the flowers and beautiful creations.....32 people died but probably more* !

"Netherlands, 1999

In March 1999, an outbreak in the Netherlands occurred during a flower exhibition in Bovenkarspel. 200 people became ill and at least 32 people died. Probably more people died* from it, but these were buried before the Legionella infection was recognized. The source of the bacteria were probably a whirlpool and a moisturizer in the exhibition area."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legionellosis...sease_is_spread

LaoPo

So, the Nords are bringing this over?

[Felt 35]

have never seen so many tourists

Off topic but, insider contacts at three of Phuket most up style Hotels says they are not near full.

Aren't these the same ass clowns who claimed that more people would die from diseases after the tsunami than die directly because of the tsunami?

Correct this is the same organisation which the Prime Minister of Thailand lied straight up in the face and said. No bird flu in Thailand.

I cannot be certain of this figure, but I bet 90%+ homes in Thailand do not have hot-water in the showers at all,

No hot water showers, no air condition, no cooling towers, and no central air conditioning in Patong Well if that was the case I will be surpriseed if any Nordic tourist was there!

[klikster]

BREAKING NEWS:

.. Grand Tropicana Hotel in Phuket are being transferred to other accommodation, and the popular beach resort hotel will not be used until it has been satisfactorily demonstrated whether or not dangerous Legionella bacteria are hiding in its water and air-conditioning systems.

I would bet that someone is scrimping on the oxidizers for the cooling water treatment.

[sonthaya]

Not a lot of good news for the tourism industry lately is there?

YES and NO, they are complaining about the high number of tourists to Phuket, this could help to reduce the number of people who wants to visit Phuket.

[sriracha john]

I'm hedging my bets that a Finns/Nordics may have contracted the illness during their journey to Thailand, or by interacting with each other.

People get Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor (small droplets of water in the air) that has been contaminated with the bacteria. One example might be from breathing in the steam from a whirlpool spa that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected.

The bacteria are NOT spread from one person to another person.

- CDC website

additionally from their website:

Legionnaires' disease can be very serious and can cause death in up to 30% of cases.

Edited January 14, 2007 by sriracha john

[laidback]

BREAKING NEWS:

Nordic tourists acquire Legionnaires' disease in Thailand

Legionella may hinder trips to Phuket

PHUKET: -- Some of the winter holidaymakers who have booked their trips to Phuket through the Finnish travel operator Aurinkomatkat may have to cancel their vacation entirely or at least change their destination, as all hotels in Phuket are filled to capacity.

All Finns resident in the Grand Tropicana Hotel in Phuket are being transferred to other accommodation, and the popular beach resort hotel will not be used until it has been satisfactorily demonstrated whether or not dangerous Legionella bacteria are hiding in its water and air-conditioning systems.

It has been confirmed so far that four Nordic tourists aged 24 to 66 have contracted Legionnaires' disease after staying in the hotel.

In addition, a Finnish traveller who was resident at the hotel about a year ago evidently fell ill with the disease.

Furthermore, another Finn with a high temperature who recently returned from Phuket was being examined on Wednesday, but it could not be established whether or not he had Legionnaires' disease, and he was released from the hospital.

The water samples from the hotel have not been processed yet.

So far Aurinkomatkat has found new accommodation for about 140 travellers of the 300 Finns who were staying at the Grand Tropicana Hotel at the beginning of the week. Efforts are being made to find another hotel also for the remaining residents, says Tuomo Meretniemi from Aurinkomakat.

New holidaymakers are flying from Finland to Phuket almost every day. All of them are contacted personally prior to their departure in order to negotiate the hotel situation, Meretniemi reports.

Furthermore, Aurinkomatkat has sent letters to around 1,500 clients who have been resident in the hotel since November 20th, advising all persons who have fallen ill with fever of more than 38°C either during the trip or within 14 days after leaving the hotel to go to the doctor immediately. However, if the symptoms have already disappeared, there is no need to seek medical care.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) monitors diseases contracted by the citizens of the European Union's member-states while travelling. The connection between the Legionella patients - the hotel in Phuket - was detected through the ECDC network. The centre also cooperates with the World Health Organisation WHO.

On Thursday, epidemiologist Tran Minh Nhu Nguyen from the National Public Health Institute participated in a phone conference organized by the ECDC. It was stated that even though the water samples taken at the hotel proved negative, there is no knowing whether or not the disease was contracted at that hotel. Hence the situation will take weeks, the epidemiologist predicts.

However, there is no need to cancel any trips to Thailand because of the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, the Norwegian authorities have assured citizens.

--Helsingin Sanomat, FI 2007-01-13

Nordic tourists acquire Legionnaires' disease in Thailand

PHUKET: -- The transfers of hundreds of Finnish tourists have begun from a hotel in Phuket to other accommodation, following an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the popular beach resort hotel.

Two Finns, one Norwegian, and two Swedish tourists have fallen ill with pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, after having stayed at the Phuket Grand Tropicana Hotel in Patong Beach, Phuket. All had been resident at the hotel in the period since November 20th.

Legionnaires' disease does not necessarily cause any symptoms at all, while for patients in poor health the disease can be life-threatening.

The National Public Health Institute has recommended the Finnish travel operator Aurinkomatkat should transfer all its clients from the hotel as soon as possible. The hotel must not be used until the water and air-conditioning systems have been cleaned and appropriate certifications on the completion of the measures have been received.

The National Public Health Institute is urging all persons who have been resident in the hotel since November 20th and have fallen ill with fever of more than 38°C either during the trip or within 14 days after leaving the hotel to go to the doctor as soon as possible. However, if the symptoms have already disappeared, there is no need to seek medical care.

Pneumonia caused by Legionella bacterium can be fatal for the elderly with heart and lung conditions, says epidemiologist Tran Minh Nhu Nguyen from the National Public Health Institute.

The Grand Tropicana has a constant quota of 125 rooms for Finnish travellers, and currently, more than 300 tourists are being acccommodated at the hotel, reports Tom Selänniemi of Aurinkomatkat. Other accommodation has already been found for part of the guests, even though it is not an easy task with the Chinese New Year being celebrated soon.

According to Selänniemi, the travel agency has contacted all its customers who might have been at risk of having contracted the disease. Those who are leaving for Phuket soon have been offered alternative destinations, while the customer is also entitled to cancel the entire trip cost-free.

--Helsingin Sanomat, FI 2007-01-12

whats next???? never a dull moment on the Island thats for sure..

[laidback]

I cannot be certain of this figure, but I bet 90%+ homes in Thailand do not have hot-water in the showers at all, and yet the people are just fine. No Legionnaire disease to speak of, much less any other problems.

I'm hedging my bets that a Finns/Nordics may have contracted the illness during their journey to Thailand, or by interacting with each other.

I agree with you on the Finn/Nordics contracting it in there own country. Years ago legionnaire disease was found on a cruise ship in that very location.

[jaypee]

I'm hedging my bets that a Finns/Nordics may have contracted the illness during their journey to Thailand, or by interacting with each other.

People get Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor (small droplets of water in the air) that has been contaminated with the bacteria. One example might be from breathing in the steam from a whirlpool spa that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected.

The bacteria are NOT spread from one person to another person.

- CDC website

additionally from their website:

Legionnaires' disease can be very serious and can cause death in up to 30% of cases.

I wouldn't ever GO NEAR a public whirlpool/spa in Thailand !!! The western, developed world has VERY STRICT regulations when it comes to sanitation to deal especially with these jacuzzi/whirlpools/spas (pools are not that dangerous, as they do not evaporate the water "dust" in the same way)

1, All water has to pass through a professional UV-light system that kills all today known bacterias.

2, The "buubling" has to be turned OFF and ON in 15min cycles.

3, pH / free chlorine / combined chlorine has to be 24-7-365 regulated by sophistacated computerized automats/chemical pumps.

To double check the water quality has to be measured manually 3 times a day

4, The water system has to have a "bleed" - which means that old, used water has to be replaced with new, fresh.

These are only a few of the regulations. All routines are shall be logged and routines checked regularly by Health Authorities. KNOWING THE THAI "ATTITUDE", I SERIOUSLY DOUBT ANY OF THESE REGULATIONS ARE IN PLACE AND PRACTICED ....

As I know, - there are over 30 different kind of Legionella bacterias - but only a few of them are dangerous. The "mild" one can give a disease known as "Pontiac Fever" but are not DEADLY as the main one. As posted before, I would also think that if someone became sick from these bacterias, - surely the whole case would be "dismissed" as something else (re. the Bird Flu ...)

So, - be careful with you "bubbling" activities out there. Back in the west, there are regulations/routines to take care of it, - but here in the "Land of Mai Pen Rai / Maak Ngai" ???!!!

[donna]

i work in a hotel in patong. i have heard from a very reliable source that its from the air conditioning water tower thingys not being cleaned properly. there is a very clear regimen that should be followed and this obviously has not been done.

the hotel i work in is experencing a great high season. many of the reservations are last minute.

[yankeechief]

The question should have been, how many people have died already? this is a nasty problem, it all comes down to ignorance. It is all about making money and keeping silent.

Of its about making money and keeping silent. And for god's sake lets not ruffle anyone's feathers here in the LOS's. Let's all just keep acting like lambs to the slaughter and say "No Problem"

[Arkady]

"On November 20th, four Finnish travelers came down with legionnaires disease in Phuket, Thailand. All were staying at the same hotel (the Grand Tropicana Hotel). As of January 13th, 2007 water samples from the hotel were still being analyzed. One other Finnish traveler came down with the disease about a year previous in the same hotel. So far there have been no fatalities during this outbreak." Wikipedia

It is interesting that the above entry is already in Wikipedia but this story hasn't appeared in the local press to my knowledge. Wikipedia also mentions that the bateria are found in 40-60% of water coolers and can travel up to 6km!