Description of the situation
18 March 1999
Disease Outbreak Reported
The Ministry of Health of Netherlands has informed WHO of an outbreak of legionnaires' disease. Out of 200 cases, 54 have been confirmed. There have been 13 deaths, of which 5 have been confirmed as due to the disease. An epidemiological investigation is under way. The exact source is not yet known, but it is thought to have been associated with a flower show in the north of the country, which was visited by 80 000 people between 12 and 28 February. The national health authorities are keeping the public informed.