Legionella is most deadly in the elderly

Grandmother Norma Bigi, 84, the latest victim of the illness, died after tests revealed the bacteria came from water from a fountain in Bresso, a town near Milan.

Those taken ill from the disease found themselves suffering its classic symptoms in the past 12-13 days and have all been admitted to hospital while authorities make attempts to control the outbreak.

Simone Cairo, mayor of Bresso, said: “The situation is under control, all the authorities that had to take action have been activated.

“This morning, the mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala called me to give us support, let's see how he can help us.”

He went on to say most of the patients battling the condition have been discharged from hospital. </s> Authorities have issued health alert after 150 cases of pneumonia were recorded in a week, mainly in towns near the northern Italian city of Brescia.

Suspecting the presence of a pneumonia-causing virus in the water supply, they have taken samples from the distribution network for analysis. Results are expected in several days.

Autopsies will be conducted on a 69-year-old woman and an 85-year-old man who died this week to determine whether they died from pneumonia, according to local media reports.

Pneumonia is usually caused when bacteria, viruses or fungi infect the lungs. It can be life-threatening, especially among the elderly and those with serious health conditions.

Provincial health services have called on residents to take precautions, including disinfecting tap filters and shower hoses and to let hot water run for a period of time with the windows open before using it.

Hospital emergencies in several municipalities to the south and east of Brescia identified 121 cases of pneumonia, the health officer in the Lombardy region Giulio Galera said on television.

A survey of general practitioners found at least 30 other people had been affected.
A Legionella outbreak in Bresso, Italy, kills three people while 17 others are hospitalized.