A new outbreak of the Legionella bacterium in Belgium’s Flanders region has brought the so-called ‘Legionnaires’ disease’ into the limelight. According to the EU agency for infectious diseases control, contraction of the condition is spreading rapidly in Europe.
Belgium’s regional health authorities say 32 people have been infected with Legionella in Evergem, a municipality belonging to the port of Ghent area. Two patients have already died died due to the effects of Legionnaires’ disease.