Britons warned of risk of fatal Legionnaire’s Disease in Dubai
Travellers to the United Arab Emirates are being warned of an increase in the number of cases of deadly Legionnaires’ disease in Dubai, which has killed two European tourists in the past 12 months.
At least 34 Britons have come down with the lung infection after visiting the United Arab emirate since October 1 last year.
A further 38 Europeans have also been infected over the past year. The most recent case was in July.
Although 21 of the victims had stayed at one particular hotel in Dubai, authorities have ruled it out as a source of the outbreak after testing its water systems.
Major fountains and other high-risk sites have also been tested, but to date, no single source of infection has been identified.
"The majority of reported cases are associated with different accommodation sites dispersed geographically across Dubai, suggesting a common source not associated with accommodation sites," said the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).
The Foreign Office, which last week warned British travellers of an outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease in Majorca, suggests visitors to the United Arab Emirates follow NaTHNaC recommendations, which include seeking medical advice if they experience respiratory infection symptoms up to two weeks after visiting Dubai.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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