The Ministry of Health decided to temporarily suspend operations at the hospital where the newborn diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease was born, after the bacterium “Legionella pneumophila” in parts of the water supply system. The newborn is being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Makarios Hospital.
Read more: Newborn with Legionnaires’ disease: The floor of the private clinic where the infant was being treated has been “locked down”; patients and staff are being tested
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According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the remaining newborns were transferred to other hospitals, while additional environmental testing has been initiated. At the same time, epidemiological surveillance has been stepped up, with the relevant authorities clarifying that so far no other suspected or confirmed cases linked to this specific hospital have been identified.
The following is the Ministry of Health’s announcement:
Ministry of Health Announcement Regarding a Case of Legionellosis in a Newborn
The Ministry of Health is investigating a case of Legionnaires’ disease in a newborn through its relevant departments. The newborn is being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Makarios Hospital.
As part of the investigation, inspections and sampling were conducted in the water supply system of the hospital where the newborn was born. Preliminary results indicated the presence of “Legionella pneumophila” at certain points in the system.
Following an evaluation of the findings, it was decided, as a precautionary measure, to temporarily suspend the clinic’s operations until additional inspections are completed and the results are evaluated. The newborns were transferred to other hospitals, and additional environmental testing has been scheduled.
At the same time, epidemiological surveillance has been stepped up, with the relevant hospital units and pediatricians being notified. So far, no other suspected or confirmed cases linked to this particular hospital have been identified.
The Ministry of Health assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to protect public health and patient safety, with particular emphasis on the protection of newborns.
It should be noted that Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted from person to person, but primarily through the inhalation of water microdroplets containing the bacterium.
