HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to Poland this autumn have been warned to stay alert amid an outbreak of a stealth killer in the water supply.
At least 11 people have died and more than 100 infected with Legionnaires’ disease in the country.
The killer bug has been found in the water supply system serving the southeastern Polish city of Rzeszow.
Cases of Legionnaires’ disease have started to emerge further afield, with a single case reported in the popular holiday destination, Krakow, on Sunday.
Security officials are investigating whether the city's water was deliberately contaminated by Russian intelligence.
Legionnaires’ disease, caused by the legionella bacteria, can result in a severe form of pneumonia, and even death.
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The most common form of transmission is inhalation of infected water sprays, jets or mists from contaminated water sources, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The bacteria that causes the illness has been found in 113 patients hospitalised in Rzeszow and the surrounding area, according to the European Centre for Disease Control.
The seven people who have died were aged 64 to 95 and had other health conditions.
Rzeszów is Poland’s main hub for sending military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a base for US troops.
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“The [ABW] investigation aims at excluding any external interference that could have led to the outbreak of the disease," Stanisław Żaryn, deputy coordinator of Polish security services, said in a video posted Friday.
What are the symptoms of Legionnaire's disease?
These are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease you should watch out for:
- a cough
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- a high temperature
- flu-like symptoms
You might need to go to the hospital if you're diagnosed with the bug.
You should definitely call NHS 111 if you can't breathe properly, have chest pain or feel like you have severe flu.
At home, you can reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease by removing any build-up around shower heads because this can trap water, says Asthma and Lung UK.
The charity advised you run showers or taps you have not used recently for five minutes every two weeks.
If you own a hot tub or home spa, it is also essential you regularly drain, clean and disinfect it.
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