Legionnaires’ disease: when an ‘outbreak’ is not an outbreak.

During August 2006, there was an increase in non-travel related legionella cases throughout England and in the Netherlands , possibly associated with the fluctuating weather conditions in July. In August and September, eight cases were reported to a local health authority in eastern England . No common source for this cluster could be established. Legionella was isolated from the home of two patients (2 showerheads in one home and a hot tub in the other) but unfortunately clinical isolates were not available for further genetic typing. The incident control team concluded that multiple sources (both domestic and environmental) may have caused the cluster. Eurosurveillance 2006 vol 11, issue 11.