Department of Disease Control pointed out Legionnaires are spread by breathing in water droplets contaminated with bacteria.
Today (7 September 2022) Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, MD. Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) mentioned news reports from Argentina. that reported the outbreak ofLegionnaires’ disease which is a respiratory infection There were 11 patients with pneumonia, 8 were medical personnel and 3 patients were infected in a hospital. And of these, four people died, after which laboratory tests (lab) found Legionella pneumophila bacteria to cause Legionnaires’ disease. (Legionnaires’ disease) is found in natural water bodies with a temperature of 32-45 degrees Celsius.
“By contact and infection caused by inhalation of liquid droplets. or aerosols of contaminated water, such as water from cooling towers of air conditioning systems shower water whirlpool ventilator and fountains decorate buildings and places, including choking contaminated water especially those with low immunity, such as the elderly with chronic diseases or heavy smokers, however, human-to-human transmission has never been found,” said Dr. Opas.
Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said that the situation of Legionnaires’ disease in Thailand from 2013 to present Found a cumulative number of 131 cases, 1 death. In 2020, the latest case was found in 2021. The mean age was 62 years (lowest age 23 and maximum age 85). Most of the patients were middle-aged to elderly men. and is a foreign tourist who travels to Thailand
Dr. Opas said that the symptoms of this disease can be divided into 2 types: mild to severe symptoms. The mild symptoms are flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, coughing, nausea and vomiting, known as Pontiac fever, but if the infection goes down to the lungs. This causes pneumonia, high fever, cough, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and can cause death. It is called Legionnaires’ disease. Without proper treatment, respiratory failure can occur. I reiterate that Legionnaires’ disease not a new disease And it doesn’t happen easily. Outbreaks are often confined to people in the same environment. Therefore, it is recommended that all agencies or tourist accommodation establishments manage the chlorine system in the water supply. Check the combined hot water system. air conditioning system bathroom accessories to meet the standards Clean items related to water products regularly. Ask for more information at the Department of Disease Control hotline, call 1422