Portuguese LD death toll rises to 10

PORTUGAL: The death toll in the Portuguese legionnaires’ disease outbreak has risen to 10.

Portuguese authorities have also confirmed that 336 cases have been identified in total since the outbreak began on November 7. Of these, 38 remain in a serious condition in intensive care, with 23 currently receiving ventilatory support.

The 10 deaths – seven men and three women – ranged in age from 52 to 89.

The Portuguese health ministry says it is confident it has identified one source which emitted a legionella aerosol.

Prosecutors are to investigate a possible breach of environmental legislation originating

from the wet cooling systems of the Adubos de Portugal fertiliser factory.