Portugal - Nov 11

The WHO announced the outbreak of legionnaires disease in Portugal to be a “major public health emergency”. The majority of the cases are coming from Vila Franca de Xira (16 miles north-east of Lisbon) where the bacteria was discovered in a cooling tower. The disease has already killed 5 people and infected more than 230 others in Portugal. Lisbon’s facilities are under a lot of pressure due to the 38 cases being treated in intensive care. The disease is not contagious and treatable with antibiotics. Anibal Cavaco Silva (President of Portugal) believes the health authorities are taking appropriate actions.

Sources: BBC, Washington Post