Nordic tourists acquire Legionnaires' disease in Thailand

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The transfers of hundreds of Finnish tourists have begun from a hotel in Phuket to other accommodation, following an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the popular beach resort hotel.
      Two Finns, one Norwegian, and two Swedish tourists have fallen ill with pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, after having stayed at the Phuket Grand Tropicana Hotel in Patong Beach, Phuket. All had been resident at the hotel in the period since November 20th.
      Legionnaires' disease does not necessarily cause any symptoms at all, while for patients in poor health the disease can be life-threatening.
     
The National Public Health Institute has recommended the Finnish travel operator Aurinkomatkat should transfer all its clients from the hotel as soon as possible. The hotel must not be used until the water and air-conditioning systems have been cleaned and appropriate certifications on the completion of the measures have been received.
      The National Public Health Institute is urging all persons who have been resident in the hotel since November 20th and have fallen ill with fever of more than 38°C either during the trip or within 14 days after leaving the hotel to go to the doctor as soon as possible. However, if the symptoms have already disappeared, there is no need to seek medical care.
     
Pneumonia caused by Legionella bacterium can be fatal for the elderly with heart and lung conditions, says epidemiologist Tran Minh Nhu Nguyen from the National Public Health Institute.
      The Grand Tropicana has a constant quota of 125 rooms for Finnish travellers, and currently, more than 300 tourists are being acccommodated at the hotel, reports Tom Selänniemi of Aurinkomatkat. Other accommodation has already been found for part of the guests, even though it is not an easy task with the Chinese New Year being celebrated soon.
     
According to Selänniemi, the travel agency has contacted all its customers who might have been at risk of having contracted the disease. Those who are leaving for Phuket soon have been offered alternative destinations, while the customer is also entitled to cancel the entire trip cost-free.


Links:
  The National Public Health Institute
  Grand Tropicana Hotel
  Legionnaires´ Disease (Wikipedia)

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