Outbreak of legionella bacteria in Vila Franca de Xira (Lisbon-Porto)

[santaremhostel]

There is an outbreak of legionella bacteria in the county of "Vila Franca de Xira"
The symptoms are like a very strong flu and you need medical assistance - There is a cure for that
If you are about to start the caminho from Lisbon on the next days, my advise is to take the train to Azambuja or Santarem and start to walk from there.
I believe the outbreak will be controlled in the next weeks.
Will let you know
Mario

 

[Former member 22438]

There is an outbreak of legionella bacteria in the county of "Vila Franca de Xira"
The symptoms are like a very strong flu and you need medical assistance - There is a cure for that
If you are about to start the caminho from Lisbon on the next days, my advise is to take the train to Azambuja or Santarem and start to walk from there.
I believe the outbreak will be controlled in the next weeks.
Will let you know
Mario

Very dangerous bacteria. The other day here in Holland somebody died because of it. Be careful and stay away indeed.

 

[santaremhostel]

Very dangerous bacteria. The other day here in Holland somebody died because of it. Be careful and stay away indeed.

Hi Albertino
Yes, dangerous, but no need to be alarmed...Just be careful!!
The bacteria lives in the water, but will only "get you" if you breath the steam.
As far I understood, you can drink the water with that bacteria and nothing will happen...(???)
But if you take a shower with that same water and breath the steam, then you might get it!
In particular, if you are over 60 years old with breath chronic issues you could die.
So this is the frame and there is a cure for that. IT IS NOT EBOLA!!

 

[Former member 22438]

Hi Albertino
Yes, dangerous, but no need to be alarmed...Just be careful!!
The bacteria lives in the water, but will only "get you" if you breath the steam.
As far I understood, you can drink the water with that bacteria and nothing will happen...(???)
But if you take a shower with that same water and breath the steam, then you might get it!
In particular, if you are over 60 years old with breath chronic issues you could die.
So this is the frame and there is a cure for that. IT IS NOT EBOLA!!

Olá Mario. Here in Holanda they call it veteran disease. Some years ago there was a ferìa some where in the north of the Netherlands, where they were demonstrating and selling jacuzzis and hot tubs.
About 15 people died after visiting the fería.so since then everybody is on high alert when they speak about legionella.

 

[santaremhostel]

Olá Mario. Here in Holanda they call it veteran disease. Some years ago there was a ferìa some where in the north of the Netherlands, where they were demonstrating and selling jacuzzis and hot tubs.
About 15 people died after visiting the fería.so since then everybody is on high alert when they speak about legionella.

Oh yes Albertino same disease !! Jacuzzi and hot tubs seems to be the perfect place to legionella

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Jacuzzi and hot tubs seems to be the perfect place to legionella

Hey - Mario! Time to stop having those mixed sex hot jacuzzis in the hostel !

 

[peregrina2000]

I have read that the source of the infection has been found -- two cooling towers in a fertilizer plant near Vila Franca de Xira, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/11/us-health-legionnaires-portugal-idUSKCN0IV1O520141111

This disease is very serious (in fact 5 people have died in Portugal and more than 200 are ill), but I don't think that it spreads from person to person. So now that the source has been identified, the public health crisis should be over.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Excellent thread, posted knowing that it would not be the best publicity for the Camino Portugues. The disease is very serious, and pilgrims should know about it. They also should have the perspective to know how to avoid it, and when it is no longer a problem. The danger may already be past, so I hope that it won't deter future pilgrims. Since you operate a hostel you know such problems from both sides, owner and consumer. I congratulate you on choosing openness.

 

[santaremhostel]

Hey - Mario! Time to stop having those mixed sex hot jacuzzis in the hostel !

Hey Stephen, well... you know

 

[santaremhostel]

Last update, 13-Nov-2014:
Laurie, unfortunately, 7 people have died and 311 are hill. Yes, they believe those cooling towers might be the source and they were sealed/shut. Cooling towers from other plants in the area, were also sealed/shut as a safety measure. The number of new daily cases is decreasing, today 9, and the health authorities believe that on November 20th (10 days after the first victim) the legionella outbreak should be controlled.
No, it not spreads from person to person, only if you breath in the steam/moisture (mix sex hot Jacuzzi joke by Stephen). You can even drink water with legionella bacteria and you will not get ill. The issue is when the bacteria reach your lungs. Just hold your breath
No need to be alarmed, just be careful. If you are now or in the next days in Lisbon ready to start the CP, take the Express Bus to Santarém or the train to Azamubja or Santarem and start to walk from there. Please note, there are no safety measures is in place regarding public transports that cross that industrial area.
Falcon269, thank you for your comment, but as a forum member, what else...?
Bom Caminho
Mario

 

[krazeekuban]

I am survivor of Legionnaire's and I was VERY ill for weeks and hospitalized with IV triple antibiotics . It is not a disease to take lightly.

 

[santaremhostel]

I am survivor of Legionnaire's and I was VERY ill for weeks and hospitalized with IV triple antibiotics . It is not a disease to take lightly.

Hi krazeekuban,
Good to know that you have survived.
Would you share your experience, in particular the safety measures that a pilgrim should have to take in a scenario like this one?
Bom Caminho
Mario

 

[krazeekuban]

When I became ill, I went to the emergency room on three occasions in a week time at the third we said that I was not leaving, I was admitted, tests were done and antibiotics started, extremely high fevers for over a week prior to that , shaky and unable to eat or drink. When my labs all returned a few days later, my titers were very elevated. It was reprted to diseases dept and I was the only case in Arizona reported during that time. I had been camping about two weeks before as well as a concert where there had been a misting system, may have been that. So to this day I stay away from the outdoor misting, not sure this was the cause. I don' t know how something like this is really preventable.

 

[santaremhostel]

When I became ill, I went to the emergency room on three occasions in a week time at the third we said that I was not leaving, I was admitted, tests were done and antibiotics started, extremely high fevers for over a week prior to that , shaky and unable to eat or drink. When my labs all returned a few days later, my titers were very elevated. It was reprted to diseases dept and I was the only case in Arizona reported during that time. I had been camping about two weeks before as well as a concert where there had been a misting system, may have been that. So to this day I stay away from the outdoor misting, not sure this was the cause. I don' t know how something like this is really preventable.

Hi krazeekuban, thank you for your share and Bom Caminho!
Mario