Newborn diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease at private Nicosia hospital

Nicosia, Cyprus. The health ministry confirmed on Friday that a newborn at a private Nicosia hospital had been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Following a transfer, the infant is receiving treatment in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Makarios Hospital.

Precautionary closure

According to the ministry, it ordered the closure of the private hospital’s floor as a precaution and instructed that all necessary measures and actions be taken to deal with the situation.

The ministry has provided no information about the infant’s condition or the location and circumstances in which the infection was contracted. The information released to date does not identify the private hospital.

How the infection spreads

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by bacteria, primarily affects the respiratory system and leads to pneumonia. The bacteria multiply in water, with transmission occurring mainly when people inhale contaminated water droplets.

Potential sources include taps, showers, hot-water systems and cooling towers serving large buildings, especially when maintenance is inadequate. Transmission between people is uncommon.