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Deadly Legionnaires' outbreak leaves three people dead and dozens more infected at popular holiday spot - with bacteria spreading through pools and air-conditioning units
An outbreak of the Legionnaires' disease has left three people dead and dozens more infected at a popular holiday spot in Italy, prompting a desperate inspection of the water supply as health authorities try to pin down the source.
At least 49 cases of the disease have so far been recorded in the Lombardy region of northern Italy following an outbreak that began in April, according to the European Center of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
A dozen of those infected remain in hospital with potentially life-threatening symptoms, while three have died, the ECDC states.
The disease, a form of pneumonia, has infected people from the ages of 26 to 94, with the vast majority suffering from some underlying health condition that puts them at a higher risk of serious illness.
Legionnaires' disease, caused by the Legionella bacteria, is a lung infection contracted by inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning units, spa pools, hot tubs and infrequently used taps, according to the NHS.
Legionella disease can be contracted through water, causing a nasty lung infection
Health authorities are looking at potential sources of the outbreak in Milan, Lombardy
Water samples have already been collected from several sampling sites of the municipal water supply system in Milan, according to an ECDC report from August 8.
Most of the cases recorded so far were in the Corsico municipality, an idyllic commune southwest of the city.
Symptoms were present in the first case from April 11, though most started showing indicators of the disease in late July.
Dr Brian Labus, Assistant Professor at the Deparment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Nevada, told MailOnline this evening that cases tend to rise in the summer months, with the bacteria growing best in warm water.
'People also travel more in the summer months, so a lot more people can be exposed at resorts, hotels, and pools,' he said.
Cases and outbreaks can occur at any time, he said.
Twelve patients remained hospitalised as of August 8, with three associated deaths reported to date.
The ECDC has not yet identified any cases associated with travel.
As such, the ECDC claims the infection risk is limited to people living in or visiting the region - and not those living further afield.
Dr Labus said: 'Legionnaires' disease does not spread from person to person so there is no risk of spread beyond the locations where the outbreaks are occurring.
'The disease is caused by breathing in bacteria that are growing in water and you have to personally visit the location with the problem to be at any risk of infection.'
Public health authorities are now trying to curb the outbreak by disinfecting the local water supply with chemicals as investigators review other potential sources of infection.
Italy previously reported dozens of cases of Legionnaires' disease during an outbreak in 2018.
Those over 50 are more at risk of developing the disease from inhaled droplets of water containing the bacteria than younger people, as well as those already immuno-compromised.
Smokers are also a risk group, according to the ECDC.
Dr Labus added: 'People of any age can get Legionnaires' disease, but the people at highest risk of infection and disease are people 50 and over, smokers, people with chronic lung conditions and those with weakened immune systems.'
Legionnaires' has a mortality rate of between five and 15 per cent, depending on age and comorbidities.
The bacteria are 'quite common' and exist naturally in rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
The disease cannot be contracted from drinking water, but inhaling 'aerosols', or water droplets, that get into the lungs and cause pneumonia - a lung infection.
There is currently no available vaccination against the disease, although antibiotics can help if the disease is caught early enough.
The disease can collect in unused taps or stagnant water. Some experts urge tourists to run taps and showers when staying in temporary accommodation abroad.
Legionella spreads through aerosols, or water droplets, in things like air conditioning units
Bacteria pneumonia carries particular risk to older people, smokers and people already sick
Millions of Australians have been warned to stay vigilant as an outbreak of the disease sweeps Melbourne.
Victoria's Deparment of Health is also currently investigating a surge in cases across the region, also mostly affected those over 40 and with existing conditions.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker told listeners to ABC Radio Melbourne at the end of last month: 'This is a nasty type of pneumonia ... so people can become quite sick, quite quickly.
'We are concerned. This is a significant increase on normal.
'Most of our cases at the moment are in hospital, a number in ICU... so they're critically unwell.'
For the moment, authorities are still investigating the source of the outbreak.
'People who live in, work in or have visited metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas, and develop symptoms of Legionnaires' disease, should seek urgent medical care,' a department statement read.