Buenos Aires/New Delhi: Four recent deaths from pneumonia in Argentina were linked to Legionnaires’ disease by Tucuman health officials on Saturday, news agency ANI reported. According to the Buenos Aires Times, four people died of Legionnaires’ disease, a relatively rare bacterial ailment of the lungs, at a clinic in the northwestern province. Argentinian Health Minister Carla Vizotti told reporters that Legionnaires’ was identified as the underlying cause of double pneumonia in the four, who had high fevers, body aches and difficulty breathing.Also Read – VIDEO: Man tries to kill Argentina’s vice president, loaded gun at point-blank range fails | see
The latest death was on Saturday morning of a 48-year-old man with underlying health issues. A 70-year-old woman undergoing surgery at the clinic also fell victim, the Buenos Aires Times reported. Provincial officials said seven other non-fatal cases have been identified, all at the same institution and almost all involving clinic employees. Vizotti said officials were working to ensure the clinic was safe for patients and staff, the Buenos Aires Times reported. Also Read – USA, Australia, other countries show interest in buying Made-in-India LCA Tejas.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ (LEE-juh-nares) disease is a severe form of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella (LEE-juh-nell-a) bacteria. People can become ill when they breathe in small droplets of water or accidentally swallow water containing Legionella into their lungs. Also Read – Lionel Messi recalls terrifying time, says ‘lung affected, not able to run…’
What is the reason for that?
The disease, which first appeared at a 1976 meeting of an American Legion veterans group in the US city of Philadelphia, has been linked to contaminated water or an unclean air-conditioning system.
Argentina outbreak: 5 important points to know
- Doctors first tested victims for Covid-19, flu and hantavirus during the outbreak in Tucuman, Argentina, but rejected them all.
- The samples were then sent to the prestigious ANLIS-Malbran Institute in Buenos Aires. The research body’s tests pointed to Legionnaires’.
- On Wednesday, provincial health minister Luis Medina Ruiz said “toxic and environmental causes” could not be ruled out. He noted that the clinic’s climate-control systems are being checked.
- Tucuman Provincial Medical College President Hector Sal described the bacterial infection as “aggressive” earlier this week.
- But he added that it is not usually transmitted person-to-person and that close contact with none of the 11 infected people showed symptoms.
(with inputs from ANI)
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