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2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 APRIL 2024 NEWS Six deaths from Legionnaire disease recorded in last 10 years CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The highest number of cases of Legionnaire Disease in Malta was reported in 2004 and in 2020. But while 15 out of the 16 cases recorded in 2004 involved tourists 13 out of the 16 cases recorded in 2020 involved Maltese residents. A total of 230 cases of this disease have been diagnosed since 1989, of which 101 were recorded since 2013. A total of 17 deaths have been recorded, six of which in the last decade. European spike While the increase in numbers reflects the increase in the local population, it also coincides with a spike in cases across the Euro- pean continent. In 2021 the EU/ EEA witnessed the highest annual notification rate of Legionnaires' disease to date, with 2.4 cases per 100,000 population. Significantly Malta had experi- enced a record number of cases in the previous year during the first phase of the pandemic. Factors behind this continental increase according to the Euro- pean Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) included the lifting of travel restrictions after the first phase of the pandemic, an ageing population; climate change and the design, infrastructure, and main- tenance of water systems used in buildings. Disease now more common among Maltese residents One notable change is that while in the past the disease was mostly associated with tourists visiting Malta, most cases are now being reported among the resident pop- ulation. In the 23 years between 1989 and 2012 Malta recorded only 58 local cases of Legionellosis while 71 cas- es were associated with travel. In the record year 2004, 15 of the 16 recorded cases involved tourists. But in the 11 years between 2013 and 2023 Malta recorded 71 cases among Maltese residents and on- ly 30 cases among non-residents. Moreover, in the record year of 2020, 13 of the 16 cases involved Maltese residents. In 2022 only one case involving a nonresident was recorded while eight cases in- volved Maltese residents. In fact, of the 13 cases diagnosed last year 10 were Maltese residents and three were foreigners. Two of the cases involved foreigners who had contracted the disease in Mal- ta before leaving. The IDCU report does not clearly indicate the source of the infection but indicates that the disease was contracted in both "households" and from "other establishments." It also adds that "all establishments were investigated, and corrective action was taken if necessary". The report does not indicate how many cases were contracted in ho- tels or from the workplace. Since 1989 at least 17 people have died after contracting the legionel- la microbe, six of which in the past decade. This means that over 7% of those diagnosed with the disease died. But the figure could be higher as the number of deaths resulting from infectious diseasesis not pro- vided in the annual tables issued by the IDCU in 2020, 2021 and 2023. What is Legionnaire's disease? Legionnaire's is a type of severe pneumonia caused by bacteria, with an overall fatality rate of about 10% which increases among smok- ers and those with underlying dis- eases. It is usually contracted by inhal- ing water droplets that contains the bacteria from hot tubs, show- ers or A/C units, but not person to person. The Legionellae microbe can al- so grow and multiply inside rarely used plumbing systems. This is because the microbe thrives on biofilm, the coating on the inside of plumbing systems which forms when there is no or poor circula- tion of water within. Symptoms of Legionnaire's dis- ease include fever, chills, a cough and sometimes muscle aches and headaches. The disease is treated by antibi- otics, which are effective when the disease is detected early. The dis- ease owes its name to the victims of the first recorded outbreak of the disease in 1976 at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where members of the American Legion, a United States military veterans associa- tion, had gathered for the Ameri- can Bicentennial. Within two days of the event's start, veterans began falling ill with a then unidentified pneumonia. As many as 221 peo- ple were given medical treatment and 34 deaths occurred. How to prevent Legionellosis Household plumbing systems are at low risk of carrying the Legionel- la bacteria unless the plumbing system is unused for a long period of time. Thus, it would be wise to close water systems if you are plan- ning to stay away from your home for a long period of time or if you have part of the system which is not used. On returning, the water should be allowed to run for about five minutes so that any stagnant water which would have been left in the system will be flushed down. Leaving the windows open during such procedures would result in a better dispersion of aerosols gen- erated. Households are also advised to regularly check water tanks and insulate them to prevent the tem- perature of the water from warm- ing up. They are also advised not to buy water from bowsers not certi- fied by the Health Department. Residents in hotel establishments are at a greater risk of exposure. In fact, hotel owners are legally obliged to register the cooling tow- ers and evaporative condensers and to disinfect them regularly and keep them in good condition as stipulated by law. By law the Health Authority can close establishments where a con- firmed case of Legionellosis is re- corded. The regulations came in place in 2006 following a spike in the number of cases recorded two years earlier. Mr. Christopher Vella and Mr. Anthony Martin Hennessy, being the directors of Exacta Solutions Limited, declare their intention for the company to register for an Employment Agency licence in accordance to article 23 of the Employment and Training Services Act, 1990 (Act XXVIII of 1990). The activities proposed to be carried out are the following: 1. Recruitment Consultancy 2. Interviewing, selection and placements of candidates in employment 3. Recruitment of persons from abroad to employment in Malta or in an EU member state 4. Recruitment of persons in Malta for employment in Malta or in an EU member state 5. Advertising of the filling of vacancies 6. Keeping a register of applicants for employment L E T T E R O F I N T E N T Tower Sixty3, 63, Level 3, Tower Road, Sliema, SLM 1609, Malta Company Registration Number C 92649 REKS GEN SERVICES LTD – C79588 registered office at 881, St Joseph High Street, Hamrun. The director Mr Saviour Azzopardi intends to register for an employment agency, temporary work agency and/or outsourcing agency license in terms of the DIER requirements: The activities proposed to be carried out are the following: Recruitment consultancy, Interviewing, selection and placements of candidates in employment and Recruitment of persons from abroad to employment in Malta or in an EU member site.