Legionella found in NRW origin

Legionella in NRW: origin found

Legionella in NRW: origin possibly found

09/27/2014

After it became known in recent days that there were numerous legionella diseases in Jülich in North Rhine-Westphalia, the source of infection may now have been found. In the water of the recooling plant of Forschungszentrum Jülich an increased number of bacteria has been detected.

Possible trigger in the cooling unit
After again measuring Legionella in the district of Düren in recent days, the source of infection for the Legionella diseases in Jülich in North Rhine-Westphalia may now have been found. As the Düren district announced on Friday, a significantly increased number of Legionella had been found in the water of a recooling plant of Forschungszentrum Jülich. Now further investigations would have to show if the cooling unit really is the trigger for the diseases.

Legionella causes pneumonia
As it was said, the plant was shut down on Friday and will be put back into operation after a thorough disinfection. According to a dpa report, 24 people have been diagnosed with pneumonia caused by legionella. Accordingly, in three of these patients, it was possible to directly detect Legionella in bronchial secretions. Now there is the chance to create a genetic fingerprint of the pathogen and to compare it with the samples from the cooling plant. In the other 21 patients, the Legionella were detected indirectly via antibodies in the blood.

For symptoms to the doctor
If people become infected with Legionella, it usually comes to more nonspecific symptoms that can not be clearly attributed to the disease. For example, most people initially experience symptoms such as fever and chills. This can cause muscle pain, especially in the chest area, as well as irritating cough. Symptoms such as dyspnea, headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and occasional neurological deficits may be seen later. For such complaints, it is advisable for people from the region to see a doctor. (Ad)