Legionella E-news -- 24 June 2003

**IN THIS ISSUE**
1. 25 Cases and 1 Death in Valencia, Spain
2. LD Cases Among Police Staff in Auckland, New Zealand
3. Treatments at Spa in Spain Blamed for 4 LD Cases
4. New CDC Guide Now Available
5. Legionella Training Course in Maryland (USA), Oct. 2003
6. Legionnaires' Symposium in Hong Kong
7. Live Audio And Internet Seminars Scheduled for September

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1. 25 CASES AND 1 DEATH IN VALENCIA, SPAIN
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In two or more separate outbreaks occurring in May and June in Valencia, 25 cases of legionellosis have been identified, one of which resulted in death. The first was a community outbreak in Alcoy and nearby areas. The second outbreak was associated with the oncology unit and adjacent rehabilitation area of a hospital; seven cases were identified, four patients and three visitors. One of the patients died.

Investigators quickly traced the infections to the hospital's potable water system, blaming two showers as the particular source of contamination. The health department reported that the hospital collected environmental samples, hyperchlorinated the potable water system, disinfected the rehabilitation pool, and began distributing higher water temperatures to faucets and showers. Source: ABC.es 

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2. LD CASES AMONG POLICE STAFF IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
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Nine police staff that worked in the same building in Auckland contracted Legionnaires' disease. The building was to be closed for two months, requiring 200 staff to relocate to other buildings. Source: Independent Newspapers Limited 

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3. TREATMENTS AT SPA IN SPAIN BLAMED FOR 4 LD CASES
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Spanish health authorities believe that four recent cases of LD were associated with a spa that provides water-based treatments. All four cases were hospitalized and are recovering. An environmental investigation was conducted but a source of contamination was not confirmed. Source: Diario de Avisos 

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4. NEW CDC GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE
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CDC/HICPAC Guideline for Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities, 2003 is now available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/enviro/guide.htm  

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5. LEGIONELLA TRAINING COURSE IN MARYLAND (USA), OCT 2003
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The Legionella Prevention Training Course is scheduled for 29-30 October 2003 in Dunkirk, Maryland, at the brand new training facility operated by Patuxent Environmental Group. Fly to BWI Airport and drive to Dunkirk, which is close to Chesapeake Bay. The course will include the following:

* Background facts on Legionnaires' Disease and Legionella 
* Government and Industry Guidelines
* Legal Issues and Risk Reduction Strategies
* Preventive Measures for Domestic Water Systems, Cooling Towers, and 
Other Devices 
* Sampling Methodology
* Disease Response Plan
* Domestic Water Disinfection
* Case Studies

The tuition is US$575. Seating is limited so register early. For more information, go to http://www.hcinfo.com/legionella2daycourse.htm.

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6. LEGIONNAIRES' SYMPOSIUM IN HONG KONG
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Symposium on Legionnaires' Disease & its Prevention will be held 12 December 2003 in Hong Kong. Go to http://www.emsd.gov.hk/ldsym/ for more information.  

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7. LIVE AUDIO AND INTERNET SEMINARS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER
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The courses cost US$159 each and range from 60 to 90 minutes in length. Here are the titles: 

* Waterborne Pathogens: Illness, Prevalence, and Risk Reduction Strategies
* Legionnaires' Disease: Update on Diagnosis, Treatment, Microbiology, Environmental Monitoring, Guidelines, and Disinfection
* Legionnaires' Disease: Guidelines, Litigation, and Risk Management
* Minimizing Conditions for Legionella and Other Bacteria in Domestic Water Systems
* Reducing the Risk of Legionella in Cooling Towers
* How to Sample Water Systems for Legionella
* Disinfecting Potable Water Systems 

For dates and times and other details, go to http://hcinfo.com.

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THANK YOU! 

Matt Freije, Editor
HC Information Resources Inc.

Tel: 760-494-3063
Fax: 619-839-3166
hcinfo@hcinfo.com
http://hcinfo.com