Latest News on Situation of Legionellosis In Kaunas: 4 More New Cases of the Disease, and Health Minister`s Visit to NPHC
On 8 May, Kaunas Department of the National Public Health Centre received a report of four more cases of Legionellosis. A total of 22 cases of Legionellosis have been confirmed so far. Today, we also received updated and specified information from the medical institution that Legionellosis caused one death. The other 3 deaths reported in press articles are associated with concomitant diseases, although Legionellosis was also present. In the afternoon, the Minister of Health visited the National Public Health Centre (NPHC) and was informed on the latest developments by the new Head of NPHC Vaidotas Gruodys.
"I was informed by the new Head of NPHC that considering the incubation period, the cases of Legionellosis coincide with the washing of the reservoirs of the Garliava water pumping station. Legionella was found in the samples taken by NPHC specialists in the residences of the infected people. We are still waiting for the results of the drinking water tests from the samples that were taken at the water inlets of the residential buildings. To keep residents safe, the building administrators and individual home owners are instructed to perform a thermal shock testing, raising the temperature to a level where disease-causing bacteria in the pipeline are killed. “Let’s hope the measures will bring results. More answers will be available after a full-scale investigation has been completed,” said A. Dulkys.
This morning, the NPHC director with the NPHC specialists from Kaunas Department and other NVSC representatives visited Kaunas Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, and looked into the situation.
The director emphasized that the epidemiological situation calls for preventive actions nationwide. " Specialists from NPHC Kaunas department are currently conducting an epidemiological investigation and taking other necessary actions aimed at curbing the spread of the disease and preventing new cases of Legionellosis, however, this issue should be dealt with at all levels and requires the involvement of all authoritative institutions. First of all, we will discuss the current situation with the National Energy Regulatory Council, which supervises the compliance with energy quality requirements, regarding legal regulation and the improvement of technical control measures to ensure a better control of water systems," emphasized the new Head of NPHC.
According to the data acquired by NPHC, over the past 10 years, 1- 22 cases of Legionellosis are reported each year (18 cases on average). Deaths have also occurred. In the last 10 years, Legionellosis causes a total of 17 deaths.
Last updated: 12-05-2023
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