Legionnaires’ disease scare in Barrackpore

The Ministry of Health is investigating a possible breakout of legionnaires’ disease, which may have caused the death of managing director and owner of South M Construction Company, Khaima Persad. Persad, of Block 7, Palmiste died on March 18 at Southern Medical Centre, Quenca Street, San Fernando. Tests carried out at South M’s Barrackpore premises after Persad’s death were positive for legionella, the bacterium which causes the disease. The ministry has since ordered the company’s closure as three other employees who developed similar pneumonia-like symptoms are suspected of contracting the disease.

The three suspected cases are being treated at San Fernando General Hospital. One of the patients is warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while two others, who have milder symptoms, are being treated in one of the medical wards. Head of the Department of Medicine, Dr Kanta Ramcharan, said while there was no confirmation that the three were infected with this disease, the bacterium was found in the air-condition system at the company. He said it was unusual for three people from the same company to contract pneumonia at the same time. The doctor said from time to time, they saw cases, especially among travellers.
Approximately six months ago, a young resident returning from Africa was admitted with the disease, but she recovered.

The T&T Guardian obtained a copy of a memorandum sent by acting president of the National Gas Company (NGC) Maria Thorne to all employees, warning of health issues at Barrackpore and Guyaguayare, which they were monitoring closely. In addition to the legionnaires’ disease scare at Barrackpore, Thorne pointed out that there were cases of people with symptoms of malaria. None of their staff, however, had reported symptoms of the fever, she added. As a precaution, NGC offices at Guayaguayare have been defogged and offices at Barrackpore have been sprayed.

The Public Health Department has also been carrying out spraying activities in Guyaguayare. Also in the memo, NGC stated that on March 19, it was revealed that the cause of Persad’s death was Legionnaires’ disease. The company extended condolences to Persad’s wife Linda, his family and colleagues. Thorne added that NGC employees who recently visited South M’s Barrackpore office were being tested as a precaution.

Disease facts

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. It can be serious and deadly, but most cases can be successfully treated with antibiotics. The bacterium is not spread from one person to another. Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. However, the bacterium grows best in warm water, such as the kind found in the purpose-built systems, such as hot tubs, parts of air-conditioning systems, cooling towers, hot water tanks and large plumbing systems.

Symptoms of malaria
Malaria is a parasitic disease that involves high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms and anemia.
It is caused by a  parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of infected anopheles mosquitoes.