A newborn baby diagnosed with legionellosis remains in a critical condition on mechanical ventilation in the neonatal intensive care unit at Makarios Hospital. The baby was born at a private clinic in Nicosia whose operation has since been temporarily suspended.
The authorities suspended the clinic as a precaution after preliminary results from samples, taken following the baby’s diagnosis, showed the presence of Legionella pneumophila in parts of its water supply network, according to the Health Ministry. The suspension will remain in place until further tests are completed and their results assessed.
The newborns at the clinic were moved to other hospitals, and further environmental checks have been scheduled, the ministry said.
The ministry said it had stepped up epidemiological surveillance and informed hospital units and paediatricians so that they stay alert to any other cases. No other suspected or confirmed case of legionellosis linked to the clinic has been identified so far, it said. The infection does not spread from person to person.
The ministry said all necessary measures were being taken to protect public health and patient safety, with particular emphasis on protecting newborns.
What is legionellosis
Legionellosis is a bacterial infection caused by Legionella bacteria, which can grow in water systems. It is transmitted mainly by inhaling tiny droplets of water containing the bacterium.
The infection can take different forms. Pontiac fever causes flu-like symptoms and usually clears up on its own, while Legionnaires’ disease mainly causes pneumonia and can be serious, even fatal.
