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James Debono
Two people have died from Legionnaire’s disease during the first nine months of the year, while another three have survived the infection.
Three of the five reported cases involved foreigners residing in Malta and the most likely source for their infection was the cooling system of their hotel. “In three of the cases occuring this year, the suspected source was hotels, however it is difficult to confirm that this was the source since these were all sporadic cases,” a health ministry spokesperson told MaltaToday.
The spokesperson would not name the hotels involved.
People get infected by Legionnaire’s disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air which contain the Legionella bacterium. Outbreaks occur from water systems like cooling towers, evaporative condensers, whirlpool spas and even water used for domestic purposes in hotels. The bacteria thrive in warm water. All the cases reported in 2006 were sporadic cases and there were no outbreaks. An outbreak in 2004 had led to the volountary closure of a hotel in Qawra until the necessary checks were carried out.
According the health ministry whenever a case of Legionnaire’s disease is notified an investigation is carried out. Each suspected site is tested and the necessary control measures are instituted.
In the past five years a total 33 people were infected by the disease. The largest amount of cases, 14, were reported in 2004. In that year alone Malta had one of the highest rate of people infected by the disease in – a total of 35 cases for every milllion inhabitants.
The overall incidence for Europe in 2004 was 8.2 per million in 2004. During the past two years Malta had an incidence rate of 12.5 per million, still well above the European average.
In order to decrease the occurance of the lethal disease, a code of practice was distributed to all hoteliers in Malta. A legal notice issued in January aimed at controlling the spread of the disease forbids the installation of cooling towers and evaporative condensers in new schools and health centres. The installation of this equipment in other places like hotels is only permitted when alternative dry cooling systems are not deemed practical.
The law states that any any such equipment must by certified by a competent engineer and registered with the Superintendant for Public Health. Every six months owners are obliged to test a sample of water circulating in the cooling tower to detect any presence of bacteria causing Legioniare’s disease.
At the moment the health department is in the process of an audit of all hotels to ensure that the law is fully abided to.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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