Legionella
"Barcelona cover-up"
Legionnaire's disease is caused by the legionella bacterium. Air conditioning systems are breeding grounds for the bacterium (others include grubby showers, cooling towers, and humidifiers).
Barcelona has had several outbreaks - lack of official inspection and poor upkeep of air conditioning plants are the main culprits.
On 28/9/2000 NRC Handelsblad, a Dutch newspaper, published a list of European hotels where at least 2 cases of legionella were found during the previous 5 years. The Information was provided by the Dutch Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport [Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport.]
It is reckoned that 12,000 European tourists were infected with legionella in the 5 years up to 2000 (most of the cases in Southern Europe), with some 240 tourist deaths a year.
The list below is from an updated (27/8/2001) NRC Handelsblad report (see web site below). Hotels marked in red are in Catalonia. Check current status (local tourist board are unlikely to help).
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San Carlos, Rosas (2001).
Hotel Ramblamar, Rosas (2001).
Fariones Apartments and Hotel, Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote (2000).
Rey Don Jaime, Santa Ponsa, Mallorca (2000).
Aparthotel Jardin del Sol, Santa Ponsa, Mallorca (2000).
Motel Picon del Conde, Monasterio de Rodilla (2000).
Bermudas Apartments, Benidorm (2000).
Hotel Playa Margarita in Salou (2000).
Hotel Pionerp, Santa Ponsa, Mallorca (2000).
La Brujula Hotel, Monasterio de Rodilla, Castille y Leon (2000).
Estrella Del Mar, Alcudia, Mallorca (2000).
Hotel Victoria, Rosas (2000).
Hotel Nautilus, Rosas (1999).
Hotel Fiesta Park, Benidorm (1998).
Presidente Hotel, Benidorm (1998).
Hotel Tropic Parc, Malgrat de Mar (1997).
Hotel Cambrills Princess, Salou (1997).
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The Dutch authorities published these lists. It is a pity that other countries are less willing to protect their nationals travelling abroad.
