Spain accounted for 1,631 cases of legionellosis in 2018, compared to 1,493 in 2017 or 1,020 in 2016, representing an increase of 7 percent compared to last year and 57 percent compared to two years ago, according to data from report of ‘Compulsory Declaration Diseases’, which is carried out annually by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII).
Catalonia (421 cases), Valencian Community (216), Andalusia
(143), Basque Country (118) and Madrid (116) stand out as comunities in which
there are more. By sex, the disease generally affects more men than women and
the number of cases is in addition, with age. Almost all cases occurred in
people over 50 years.
“If we analyze the ECDC graph regarding the progression
of legionellosis cases throughout Europe, we must observe the rebound in recent
years, to the point of reaching figures that had never been reached before.
There are factors that can help explain this trend such as climate change, as
early as 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) evidenced this relationship,
and rainy periods seem to be related as well, explains the spokesman for the
National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA), Pedro Navalón.
‘Legionella’ is a bacterium that is found in water, either
naturally or artificially. It involves a real risk, especially for those who
are over the age of sixty, smokers or with a weakened immune system.
Before the legionella are the filters of Biogen Technologies, a Spanish manufacturer of filters in endpoint, tap and shower, for sterile water and immunosuppressed patients.
More information: Los casos de legionelosis en España se disparan un 57% desde 2016
H2OPURETAP
