Travel-associated legionnaires' disease in Europe: 2004

Six hundred and fifty five cases of travel-associated legionnaires' disease with onset in 2004 have been reported to the EWGLINET surveillance scheme by 25 countries. A total of 84.9% of cases were diagnosed by the urinary antigen test, and 37 cultures were obtained. Thirty seven deaths were reported, giving a case fatality rate of 5.6%. Eighty six new clusters were detected, 45% of which would not have been detected without the EWGLINET scheme. Ninety four accommodation sites were investigated and the names of four sites were published on the EWGLI website. Fifteen sites were associated with additional cases after a report was received to say that investigations and control measures had been satisfactorily carried out. Further improvements could be made in the data collected on deaths due to travel-associated legionnaires' disease, and on the number of samples taken for culture throughout Europe.