Legionellosis in Poland in 2011.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this article is to assess the epidemiology of legionellosis in Poland in 2011, using national surveillance data.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We reviewed surveillance data published in the annual bulletin "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland" from 2005 to 2011, and legionellosis case reports from 2011 sent to the Department of Epidemiology NIPH-NIH by Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations.

RESULTS

In 2011, a total 18 Legionnaires' disease (Legionnaires' pneumonia) cases was reported. Annual incidence rate (0.05 per 100,000 population) has dropped by more than 50% compared to previous year, but was similar to the median incidence reported in years 2005-2009. For several years, the legionellosis incidence varies for different regions, but generally is slightly higher in Mazowieckie province; the incidence among men (0.06 per 100,000) is slightly higher than the incidence among women (0.04). In 2011, only sporadic cases have been reported. All patients presented with pneumonia (no Pontiac fever cases) and were hospitalized. Four deaths related to the disease (in patients above 55 years of age) were reported. Source of infection was identified only in one hospital-acquired legionellosis. Furthermore, one case was associated with a treatment at a sanatorium; There were two imported cases associated with travel to Italy and France.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded, that national surveillance shall be shifted toward collecting more information about possible environmental sources of infection/exposures to Legionella.