• Outbreak Argentina, on alert for the third death due to pneumonia of unknown origin

The cause of the cases of pneumonia of unknown origin detected in Tucumán (Argentina) was the

Legionella

bacterium .

This has been confirmed by the country's health authorities investigating this outbreak that

has caused 11 people affected, four of whom have died.

"The etiological agent causing the outbreak of bilateral pneumonia is

Legionella

," Carla Vizzotti, Argentine Minister of Health, said at a press conference.

"The last name of the bacteria is being typified, although it is possible that it is (

Legionella) pneumophila

," she said.

Last Saturday, the death of the fourth patient was reported, a 48-year-old man who was hospitalized in serious condition.

The outbreak occurred in

a private clinic in Tucumán

(1,300 km north of Buenos Aires), especially among health personnel, with patients who presented the first symptoms from last August 18.

Legionella

bacteria

are naturally found in freshwater environments, such as lakes and streams.

These bacteria can become a health concern when they multiply and spread in buildings' artificial water systems, such as shower heads and sink faucets;

cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of the centralized air cooling system in buildings or industrial processes);

Whirlpool tubs;

decorative fountains and accessories with water;

hot water tanks and water heaters or large and complex piping systems.

The Argentine Ministry of Health is trying to identify the source of the infection, for which it is taking samples and

analyzing possible outbreaks

in the health clinic where the cases have occurred.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is expected to send a multidisciplinary team of experts next week to support the tasks of identifying the focus and monitoring the disease.

The Covid, the flu, or the hantavirus, among other agents, had been ruled out as a cause from the first moments in which the contagion was known.

Treatment of the infection includes the

administration of antibiotics

for several weeks or even months.

Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

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