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Was Legionella in Poland a biological weapon attack? [22]
I just got a alert email from the consul that says:
The U.S. Consulate General in Krakow, Poland, is following reports of several cases of illness caused by Legionella pneumophila bacteria, also known as legionellosis or "Legionnaire's disease," in the Rzeszow area. The majority of people who have become ill are the elderly and those suffering from chronic illness or immune suppression.
Public health authorities are conducting an urgent epidemiological investigation into the source of the outbreak. Immediate control measures include temporary shutdown of fountains, public water sprays, and other water sources. Authorities are working closely with building managers and local institutions to put prevention and control measures in place. A full disinfection of the municipal water supply in Rzeszow and surrounding areas is scheduled for August 27 from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Legionellosis, or Legionnaires' disease, is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. People can get sick when they breathe in small droplets of water or accidently swallow water containing Legionella into the lungs. Legionella is not transmitted by food and is not dangerous when it enters the digestive system, such as through drinking water. Legionella bacteria is not spread from person to person except in very rare cases. More information is available at gov.pl/web/wsse-rzeszow.
