The reasons why the Ministry of Health and the Health Insurance Organization gave the “green light” for the reopening of the private clinic in Nicosia, where the Legionella bacterium was detected following the serious illness of a newborn who remains hospitalized in critical condition at Makarios Hospital, explained Dr. Michalis Mendris, a microbiologist and member of the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiological Surveillance Unit, on the Alpha News program.
The investigation is ongoing
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As he stated, the latest scientific tests conducted at the hospital showed that the pathogen has been eradicated, after the necessary measures were taken and the appropriate disinfection procedures were carried out. However, the epidemiological investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the relevant authorities awaiting the results of specialized tests, in order to determine whether the bacterium detected in the infant is linked to the positive samples collected from the nursery environment or the infant’s home.
A member of the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiological Surveillance Unit clarified that no final conclusion has been reached so far and emphasized that, following the detection of positive samples, extensive tests were conducted on the hospital’s water supply system, as well as at the newborn’s home. This was followed by disinfection of the system and new sampling, with the results of the subsequent tests at the hospital coming back negative.
This development allowed for the lifting of the safety measures that had been implemented at the hospital, while clarifying that negative test results following disinfection do not mean that the implementation of the prescribed protocols can be halted.
Samples are being sent to the ECDC
The critical question experts are called upon to answer is whether the Legionella strain detected in the newborn is genetically identical to those detected in the environment. To this end, the Ministry of Health is in contact with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the samples have been sent to a European reference laboratory for specialized sequencing tests.
As Mr. Mendris noted, this process is necessary to determine whether it is the same strain and to assess its possible connection to the locations from which the environmental samples were collected. Although positive samples have been identified, full identification cannot be achieved based solely on the initial laboratory analyses. For this reason, experts are awaiting the results of specialized testing before drawing definitive conclusions.
Legionella Found in the Newborn’s Home
A positive result was also detected in a sample from the newborn’s home, making it necessary to evaluate all results in conjunction with the strain detected in the infant. Mr. Mendris made it clear that, at this stage, the source of the infection cannot be attributed to either the hospital or the family environment.
The answer is expected to emerge from a comparison of the strains and the results of specialized tests, which will allow experts to evaluate the available data in a scientifically sound manner. Meanwhile, according to the update reported on the program, the newborn has been extubated and is showing signs of improvement in his health.
Assurances of ongoing monitoring
Mr. Mendris placed particular emphasis on the need for strict adherence to Legionella prevention and control protocols, stressing that inspections must be conducted on an ongoing basis. As he explained, combating the bacterium in water supply systems is no easy task, a fact that makes systematic monitoring, the evaluation of laboratory results, and the implementation of appropriate measures.
Hospitals have implemented relevant protocols and established committees that monitor laboratory analyses and take the necessary actions, in addition to periodic inspections by the competent authorities. The investigation of the incident therefore remains ongoing, with the focus now shifting to the full identification of the strains to determine whether there is a link between the positive environmental samples and the newborn’s infection.
SEE ALSO: Infant with Legionnaires’ disease: The final findings of the investigation and the Polyclinic’s announcement
