[Legionella outbreak in Amsterdam: a cooling tower as the source]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006 Aug 19;150(33):1808-11.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

During the period 6-28 July 2006, 30 confirmed cases of Legionella infection were identified in Amsterdam, 2 of which were fatal. All had a positive urinary antigen test, by which Legionella pneumophila serogroup I could be demonstrated. Consultations between the parties involved in the control of infectious diseases started on July 7th, as soon as it became clear that there was an outbreak. On July 10th it was established that relatively many of these patients lived in the eastern part of the city centre. After a study of the prevailing winds during the past 3 weeks, the search for installations containing water was started. A cooling tower in the town centre was closed on July 11th by way of precaution. During the following week, this tower was proven to be the source of the outbreak.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Air Conditioning
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / mortality
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • Legionella pneumophila / classification
  • Legionella pneumophila / isolation & purification*
  • Legionnaires' Disease / drug therapy
  • Legionnaires' Disease / epidemiology*
  • Legionnaires' Disease / mortality
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Water Microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents