The final report into Portugal’s legionella outbreak reveals that 12 people died in the country's worst recorded outbreak.
More than a month after the start of the outbreak in Vila Franca de Xira, the authorities put the final death toll at 12 and the total number of those affetced at 375 cases.
The health department’s statement today, was compiled with the help of Dr. Ricardo Jorge of the Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and the Tejo Valley.
The outbreak started on November 7th and cases were taken into Portugal’s hospitals over the subsequent two weeks.
Of the 375 cases almost all were treated as inpatients and eight remain in hospital.
The legionella bacteria was traced to the chimney of a fertilser factory whose owners may be prosecuted for pollution and other offences.
