With nine Britons having been struck down by Legionnaires' disease after they went holidaymaking in the Greek island Corfu, investigations into these cases are underway by the Health Protection Agency (HPA)!

Even though the HPA has not yet ruled out a UK-source for the cluster of legionnaires' cases, it is currently more focused on the Greek connection because of the fact that, since August, nine cases of the disease have been reported in people - aged between 39 and 79 years - who had visited different areas of Corfu while on a holiday.

In order to ascertain the possible source/sources of the Legionnaires ` disease at the Greek island, the HPA is working in collaboration with its counterparts in the UK, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
(ECDC), as well as the Greek public health authorities.

Legionnaires' disease - which does not spread from person-to-person; and is treated with antibiotics - spreads through water droplets from taps or air conditioning; and its symptoms are quite similar to that of flu --- leading to severe pneumonia and even death.

Noting that the HPA has initiated investigations into the legionnaires' disease cases so as holidaymakers can be suitably advised and the future risk of the cases can be minimized, HPA's Professor Nick Phin said that though it is important for people travelling to Corfu to be aware of the potential risk of legionnaires' disease, the agency is, in no way, suggesting that travellers should change their holiday plans!