Description of the situation
13 August 1998
Disease Outbreak Reported
Since early June 1998, 19 cases of legionellosis have been identified among visitors to Paris. Ten of the cases were French nationals and 9 were tourists from other European countries. All cases occurred between 6 June and 3 July. Three patients died.
Ten of the cases had visited the 9th arrondissememt (administrative area of Paris) while 7 had visited the adjacent 2nd arrondissment. Specimens from 4 patients were sent to the National Reference Centre for Legionellosis and found to be of identical type.
Investigations to identify the source of the outbreak are being carried out but no results have been obtained to date. As a precautionary measure, owners of cooling towers in the 2nd and 9th arrondissements have been ordered to clean and disinfect their installations.
No new cases have been detected since 3 July 1998. Heightened surveillance and investigations to identify the source continue.