At least 14 foreigners contract Leggionaires' disease in Bali, Indonesia

[News_Editor]

At least 14 foreigners contract Leggionaires' disease in Bali, Indonesia

2011-01-31 11:23:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

DENPASAR, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 14 foreigners have contracted Legionnaires' disease in Indonesia's Bali island, which is the country's most visited beach resort, local media reported Sunday.

Health officials confirmed that on January 21, a total of 11 cases were reported - including 9 Australians, one Dutch, and one French - all of whom have already returned to their homes. However, an additional three cases were reported, involving three Australian nationals, the Jakarta Globe reported.

Bali's Health Office chief Nyoman Sutedja said the country's Health Ministry and the World Health Organization had located the origin of the infection in a hotel near the Matahari Square, which is located in one of Bali's most popular touristic areas, Kuta.

Officials are fearing that the bacteria causing the disease could spread throughout the island as it is a water vapor-borne bacteria.

Leggionaires' disease is a potentially fatal infection caused by bacteria and could produce pneumonia. In July 2010, an Australian tourist died after experiencing symptoms similar to those caused by Legionnaires' disease.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-31

[redrus]

If its water born then mozzies can spread it.......??

How do I avoid it...??

I'm not in Kuta, how long does it take to get round...??

redrus

[donna]

it must be remembered that these cases have been on the go since September.

there are rumours that one hotel is infected, but this is not proven. other rumours are stating that it may be a shopping centre and a large tourist attraction with misters (used to keep guests cool).

people should not panic at this stage, as it is far from the plague proportions that are widely being reported by the media.

[redrus]

it must be remembered that these cases have been on the go since September.

there are rumours that one hotel is infected, but this is not proven. other rumours are stating that it may be a shopping centre and a large tourist attraction with misters (used to keep guests cool).

people should not panic at this stage, as it is far from the plague proportions that are widely being reported by the media.

Nice one, thanks Donna.... :jap:

redrus

[mrdome]

If its water born then mozzies can spread it.......??

How do I avoid it...??

I'm not in Kuta, how long does it take to get round...??

redrus

This disease has zilch to do with mozzies but everything with a/c and the like.

"Legionellosis infection normally occurs after inhaling an aerosol (suspension of fine particles in air) containing Legionella bacteria. Such particles could originate from any infected water source. When mechanical action breaks the surface of the water, small water droplets are formed, which evaporate very quickly. If these droplets contain bacteria, the bacteria cells remain suspended in the air, invisible to the naked eye and small enough to be inhaled into the lungs.[7] This often occurs in poorly ventilated areas such as prisons where a condensating air conditioner can spread it throughout the entire room, infecting anyone not immune to the strain of bacteria.

Potential sources of such contaminated water include cooling towers used in industrial cooling water systems as well as in large central air conditioning systems, evaporative coolers, hot water systems, showers, windshield washers,[8] whirlpool spas, architectural fountains, room-air humidifiers, ice making machines, misting equipment, and similar disseminators that draw upon a public water supply.

The disease may also be transmitted from contaminated aerosols generated in hot tubs if the disinfection and maintenance program is not done rigorously.[9] Freshwater ponds, creeks, and ornamental fountains are potential sources of Legionella.[10] The disease is particularly associated with hotels, fountains, cruise ships and hospitals with old, poorly maintained pipework and cooling systems. "

The following is especially chilling:

"Various studies have shown that some 40% to 60% of cooling towers tested contained Legionella.[12]

A recent research study provided evidence that Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, can travel airborne at least 6 km from its source. It was previously believed that transmission of the bacterium was restricted to much shorter distances. A team of French scientists reviewed the details of an epidemic of Legionnaires' disease that took place in Pas-de-Calais in northern France in 2003–2004. There were 86 confirmed cases during the outbreak, of whom 18 died. The source of infection was identified as a cooling tower in a petrochemical plant, and an analysis of those affected in the outbreak revealed that some infected people lived as far as 6–7 km from the plant.[13]

A study of Legionnaires' disease cases in May 2005 in Sarpsborg, Norway concluded that: "The high velocity, large drift, and high humidity in the air scrubber may have contributed to the wide spread of Legionella species, probably for >10 km. "...[14]

In 2010 a study by the UK Health Protection Agency reported that 20% of cases may be caused by infected windscreen wiper water. The finding came after researchers spotted that professional drivers are five times more likely to be infected.[15]"

Edited February 6, 2011 by mrdome