By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

In a follow-up on the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in northern Portugal region of Greater Porto, officials report from October 29 through November 29, 88 registered cases, including 10 deaths.

Legionella pneumophila bacteria/CDC

The outbreak, which has affected the cities of Matosinhos, Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim, has decreased after the cooling towers of an industry in Matosinhos were disconnected where the bacteria was detected.

“Since the operation of the aforementioned cooling towers was suspended, there has been a marked decrease in the number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the aforementioned geographical area,” ARS / Norte said in a statement this Sunday.

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Last week, health authorities confirmed that the presence of ‘legionella’ was detected in one of the cooling towers at the distribution center of the dairy company Longa Vida, in Matosinhos, Porto district.

Portuguese health officials say bacteria of the genus Legionella , are common in natural or artificial aquatic freshwater environments.

The infection or disease caused by Legionella results from the inhalation of water aerosols contaminated with bacteria of the genus Legionella .

Inhalation of the bacterium can give rise to two clinical entities of very different severity: Legionnaires’ Disease (pneumonia) and Pontiac Fever (a mild bronchial infection).