Travel-associated legionnaires’ disease in Europe: 2005

In 2005, 755 cases of travel-associated legionnaires’ disease with onset in 2005 were reported to the EWGLINET surveillance scheme by 20 countries. A total of 85.8% of cases were diagnosed by the urinary antigen test, and 37 cultures were obtained. Twenty nine deaths were reported, giving a case fatality rate of 3.8% (down from 5.6% in 2004). Ninety three new clusters were identified, 36.6% of which would not have been detected without the EWGLINET scheme. One hundred and twenty two accommodation sites were investigated and the names of nine sites were published on the EWGLI website. Thirty two sites were associated with additional cases after a report was received to say that investigations and control measures had been satisfactorily carried out. This level of re-offending is greater than in previous years and care should be taken to ensure the guidelines are being properly applied, especially in Turkey.