Over the weekend, the first three confirmed cases of Legionella infection were admitted, with one requiring more intensive care being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, according to the source.
The other two patients remained in the ward.
On Tuesday afternoon, three additional individuals arrived at the Emergency Department of São João Hospital with suspected cases of Legionella, which were later confirmed.
Inquiries revealed that the six infected individuals are adults, though their origins and the source of the infection remain undisclosed.
The report noted that a mandatory notification was made to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE).
It was further mentioned that “relevant authorities have been informed to initiate the usual process to determine if there’s any connection between these cases or if they are unrelated incidents.”
Legionella infections are caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila, primarily affecting the lungs and leading to pneumonia and flu-like symptoms.
Legionnaires’ disease, triggered by Legionella pneumophila, is contracted through inhalation of contaminated water vapor droplets (aerosols) small enough to transport the bacteria into the lungs, depositing them in the pulmonary alveoli.
