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Your Environment. Your Health.

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal A community outbreak of Legionnaires' disease associated with a cooling tower in Vic and Gurb, Catalonia (Spain) in 2005

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Author(s):
Ferre MR, Arias C, Oliva JM, Pedrol A, Garcia M, Pellicer T, Roura P, Dominguez A
Year:
2009
Journal:
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of The European Society of Clinical Microbiology. 28 (2): 153-159
Abstract:

We report the investigation of a community-acquired outbreak of Legionnaires' disease. An epidemiological, environmental, and meteorological investigation was undertaken. Fifty-five cases were reported in October and November 2005. The exposure occurred in a large area, with 12 cases (21.8%) located between 1,800 and 3,400 metres from the source. Water sample cultures showed that Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp-1) was present in five cooling towers in two industrial locations in Gurb (plants A and B). Two Lp-1 strains were recovered from plants A and B, but only Lp-1 strains from plant A showed a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profile identical to those obtained from three of the cases. Inspection of the cooling towers in plant A revealed inadequate maintenance. Weather conditions in October 2005, with mostly high temperatures and high humidity, together with the flat terrain could have been favouring factors. This study showed a community outbreak from a cooling tower as a common source in a large area. Climate and terrain could explain the dissemination of contaminated aerosols.

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Resource Description

Exposure What is this?

weather or climate related pathway by which climate change affects health

    Air Pollution, Meteorological Factor, Temperature
    • Air Pollution, Meteorological Factor, Temperature: Other Air Pollution, Specify
      • Other Air Pollution, Specify: bacteria contaminated aerosols
      Air Pollution (other)
    • Air Pollution, Meteorological Factor, Temperature: Variability
Geographic Feature What is this?

resource focuses on specific type of geography

    General Geographic Feature
Geographic Location What is this?

resource focuses on specific location

    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Europe
Health Impact What is this?

specification of health effect or disease related to climate change exposure

    Infectious Disease, Respiratory Impact
    • Infectious Disease, Respiratory Impact: Airborne Disease
      • Airborne Disease: Other Airborne Disease, Specify
        • Other Airborne Disease, Specify: Legionella
        Airborne Disease (other)
      Airborne Disease
    • Infectious Disease, Respiratory Impact: Other Respiratory Impact, Specify
      • Other Respiratory Impact, Specify: Legionella
      Respiratory Condition (other)
Resource Type What is this?

format or standard characteristic of resource

    Research Article
Special Topic What is this?

related topics that intersect with those captured in other filters

    Adaptation, Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Vulnerable Population: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Vulnerability Assessment
    • Adaptation, Vulnerable Population: Elderly
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