The General Sub-Directorate of Epidemiology and Health Surveillance, of the General Directorate of Public Health, reports three confirmed cases of legionnaires’ disease in people without an epidemiological link, beyond residence in different municipalities affected by DANA.
The three people present risk factors due to previous pathologies and two of them remain admitted to hospitals.
Legionnaires’ disease is an environmental disease caused by legionella bacteriawhich is found in low concentrations in the surface waters of rivers, lakes, ponds and, from there, after an event like DANA, through the water distribution network, it can be incorporated into the sanitary water systems (cold or hot) in buildings.
People can become infected by inhaling generated aerosols containing the bacteria, for example in showers at contaminated facilities or during cleaning activities of sludge contaminated with the bacteria. It is not transmitted from person to person.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of observing the symptoms of people exposed to flooded areas or who have participated in cleaning tasks in the municipalities concerned and go to the health point if necessary.
Legionnaires’ disease presents as pneumonia and may be accompanied by muscle pain, headache, high fever, cough, difficulty breathing and/or chest pain.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Health reminds us of the importance of following the recommendations approved by the coordination group of the Public Health response, made up of experts in public health and epidemiology from the General Directorate of Public Health of the Generalitat Valenciana, as well as as well as the Health Coordination Center. Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES) and the General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) and the Carlos III Institute.
Concretely, regarding the recommendations against Legionnaires’ disease in areas affected by DANA, it is recommended check building water tank affected and, if it has accumulated sediment, it must be emptied, cleaned and disinfected. In addition, it is recommended to preferably use diffusers and shower heads with thick drops.
Do not use spray filters on faucets and replacing badly deteriorated faucets and showers are other recommendations.
In this regard, it is advisable to dismantle the diffusers from taps and showers, clean them and immerse them in anti-limescale products or vinegar for a few hours. Then rinse them and immerse them in a solution containing 10 ml of bleach per liter of water for 30 minutes. Finally, rinse with plenty of water.
With the diffusers removed, you must let the water run from all the taps for 5 minutes, first in cold water position, then in hot water at maximum temperature, and finally in cold water. It is recommended to repeat this last step (cold, hot, cold water) also if you return home after a period of absence, as well as to flush the toilet with the lid closed at least once a week.
Finally, if you have an electric water heater, before using hot water, you must ensure that the temperature is above 60°C. It is recommended to turn it on constantly. Also, whenever possible, use the dishwasher and washing machine on the hot water setting.
Finally, Public Health insists that during cleaning tasks, you must use a mask, rubber boots or waterproof closed shoes, protective glasses, clothing covering the arms and legs and waterproof gloves. All information on the recommendations is available at: DANA Information – Health – Conselleria de Sanidad
