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Legionella bacteria found at Malta EU Presidency venue: spokesman

Xinhua, January 8, 2017 Adjust font size:

Traces of Legionella bacteria have been found at one of the sites that will be hosting important meetings during Malta's Presidency of the EU, a spokesman said Sunday.

A spokesman for the EU Presidency Unit confirmed on sunday that the bacteria was found at the President's Palace in Valletta, which will host 14 ministerial meetings.

The bacteria can lead to legionnaires' disease, a severe for of pneumonia, if contaminated water droplets are inhaled.

The spokesman said traces of the bacteria were found in the wash basin of a men's toilet.

There was no cause for alarm as the bacteria was expected to be treated with three to four days.

A microbiologist has been called in to treat the bacteria and the bathroom in question has been sealed off, the spokesman added.

The spokesman said the discovery of the bacteria will not be disrupting any of the planned meetings at the venue. Endit