Legionnaires’ disease, a bacterial lung infection, has claimed at least 18 lives in southeastern Poland, affecting around 1,500 American service members and civilians.
The American military presence in Rzeszow remains unaffected by the spread of the severe form of pneumonia, according to Col. Martin O’Donnell, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The city’s airport, located 50 miles from the border with Ukraine, has become a key transit hub for military and humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. The outbreak began last month and has resulted in 160 hospitalisations, with most cases in Rzeszow. The Polish Health Ministry suggests that the outbreak can be traced to the municipal water network. An inquiry by the country’s Internal Security Agency is focused on determining whether any foul play, including Russian involvement, can be ruled out. The United States is not assisting with any investigation into the outbreak. The American Consulate in Krakow has advised U.S. citizens in Rzeszow and surrounding areas to follow local authorities’ guidance. Most U.S. service members and civilian employees in the area support the Army, with roughly 10,000 U.S. troops deployed throughout Poland.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE NEWS
Legionnaires’ disease spread in Poland
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