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08/07/2008
HSA Investigates Legionnaire's Outbreak
The Health and Safety Authority has began an investigation into an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease at the headquarters of the Allianz insurance firm in Dublin.
The two members of staff, who are in their 40s, are understood to be receiving treatment for the illness.
A spokesman for the company said a cooling tower used as part of the air conditioning system was found to have high levels of the Legionella bacterium and that the tower may have been the source of the outbreak.
The cooling towers were shut down immediately, and the Health Service Executive and Health & Safety Authority were also notified.
The disease, which is a rare type of pneumonia, is commonly spread through the air from a water source.
The HSA says that its investigation is currently focusing on the steps being put in place to prevent any further risk of infection at the company.
According to recent figures released by the Department of Health and Children, there were 67 cases of Legionnaires since 2000, resulting in five deaths.
Ireland has a low rate of Legionnaire's disease compared with many European
countries, but this is believed to be largely because it is often misdiagnosed.
(DW)
The two members of staff, who are in their 40s, are understood to be receiving treatment for the illness.
A spokesman for the company said a cooling tower used as part of the air conditioning system was found to have high levels of the Legionella bacterium and that the tower may have been the source of the outbreak.
The cooling towers were shut down immediately, and the Health Service Executive and Health & Safety Authority were also notified.
The disease, which is a rare type of pneumonia, is commonly spread through the air from a water source.
The HSA says that its investigation is currently focusing on the steps being put in place to prevent any further risk of infection at the company.
According to recent figures released by the Department of Health and Children, there were 67 cases of Legionnaires since 2000, resulting in five deaths.
Ireland has a low rate of Legionnaire's disease compared with many European
countries, but this is believed to be largely because it is often misdiagnosed.
(DW)
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Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
