Cyprus Health Ministry decided to temporarily shut down a private clinic on Friday, after a newborn was diagnosed with Legionellosis. The Ministry said that the suspension of operations comes as a result of additional inspections that are underway and the evaluation of the findings.
The Ministry also said that a probe is taking place following the incident adding that the authorities have already collected samples from the water supply system of the facility where the newborn was delivered. Preliminary results have indicated the presence of Legionella pneumophila in parts of the system, the Ministry said.
The newborn is being treated at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Archbishop Makarios Children’s Hospital in Nicosia. Other newborns were also taken to other medical facilities following the closure of the clinic.
Furthermore, the Ministry said that additional environmental assessments will take place and the epidemiological surveillance has been strengthened, with relevant hospital units and pediatricians being duly informed.
It also clarified that to date, no other suspected or confirmed cases linked to this specific medical facility have been identified and it assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to protect public health and ensure patient safety, with a particular focus on the protection of newborns.
The Ministry said that Legionellosis is not transmitted from person to person, but primarily through the inhalation of water droplets containing the bacterium.