Legionnaires' death toll rises
2005-06-03 16:10
Oslo - The death toll from an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in two towns in southern Norway rose on Friday from eight to 10, said health authorities.
Oestfold Hospital in Fredrikstad reported that the two new victims, in their 80s and 90s, died on Friday.
They were among 53 people who had been contaminated so far by the Legionella bacteria in the small towns of Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg.
Trond Degnes of the hospital said: "What's positive is that we haven't registered any new cases since Thursday."
He said: "We hope that the epidemic is on the wane", adding that one patient was still in critical condition.
The incubation period can be up to 20 days and few new cases had been reported in recent days.
Severe pneumonia, headaches, dry cough
The Legionella bacteria could be fatal, especially for the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. The youngest victim in Norway was 69.
The illness was characterised by severe pneumonia, headaches and a dry cough.
The disease can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed in time. It is most easily spread through water sources, but only when the contaminated water is breathed into the lungs.
The bacteria thrive in places like central heating, air conditioning systems, public baths and cooling towers.
Health officials had not yet determined its source, but all cooling towers in the area were being inspected in a quest to find the culprit.
In Norway's last Legionnaires outbreak in 2001, seven of the 28 people infected died.
- AFP