An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease has killed seven people in the south of Poland and the domestic security agency is investigating whether it may be an epidemic.
The government is suspecting that they may be an intentional tampering of the water used by the residents.
According to health authorities, the bacteria that causes the illness has been found in 113 patients hospitalised in Rzeszow and the surrounding area.
The seven people who have died were aged 64 to 95 and had other health conditions. This means that the bacteria might be acting as a catalyst for other conditions.
The deputy coordinator of special services, Stanisław Żaryn, told PAP news agency that the Internal Security Agency was investigating the outbreak to rule out some intentional activity.
They need to rule out if there was an intentional tampering by the Russians.
Earlier on Friday, private radio RMF reported that Internal Security Agency (ABW) officers were checking local water systems and that so far they had found no grounds to suspect sabotage.
Legionnaires’ disease, caused by the legionella bacteria, can result in a severe form of pneumonia.
The most common form of transmission is inhalation of contaminated aerosols produced in conjunction with water sprays, jets or mists of contaminated water sources, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
