The outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin, declared in Argentina and which claimed four deaths and eleven more affected, was caused by the Legionella bacterium. This was stated by the president of the Senate Health Commission, Pablo Yedlin. He has also assured that after sending the samples of the patients to the Malbrán Institute in Buenos Aires, they determined the positive for Legionella. The Minister of Health of Argentina, Carla Vizzotti, has indicated, after clearing up doubts about what could have caused the outbreak of pneumonia, that this information is preliminary and that “it remains to advance in the final diagnosis that is with serology”. For her part, she has stressed that three of the four samples are respiratory and one is a biopsy. «A bacterium called Legionella is being isolated in the PCR and the last name of that bacterium is being typified. The suspicion is that it is pneumophila. From a health point of view, it is confirmed that it is an outbreak of pneumophila”, explained Vizzotti. about 1,300 km north of Buenos Aires. What is Legionella? Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, such as lakes and streams. These bacteria can become a health concern when they multiply and spread in buildings’ artificial water systems, such as: shower heads and sink faucets
Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of the centralized air cooling system in buildings or industrial processes)
Whirlpool tubs
Fountains and decorative accessories with water
Hot water tanks and water heaters
Large and complex piping systems Car and home air conditioning systems that do not use water to cool the air; therefore, they do not present a risk of multiplying Legionella bacteria. However, Legionella bacteria can multiply in the windshield washer fluid reservoir of a vehicle (for example, car, truck, van, school bus or taxi), particularly if the reservoir contains water rather than true windshield washer fluid.How Legionella bacteria affect building water systems and people.How it affects building water systemsThere are four key steps that can lead to bacteria Legionella to multiply in building water systems and spread to people. After the bacteria grow and multiply in a building’s water system, the water that contains them can be dispersed as droplets small enough for people to inhale. People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in droplets that contain the bacteria. Another less common way people can get sick is by breathing in drinking water that contains Legionella bacteria. This happens when water accidentally enters the lungs while drinking. Those most at risk for aspiration include those who have difficulty swallowing. Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever are not usually spread from person to person. However, this might be possible in rare circumstances