Canary Islands holiday warning as bacteria outbreak leaves tourists at risk of pneumonia, meningitis and blood poisoning
BRITS heading to the Canary Islands on holiday are being warned to watch for the signs of a deadly bug.
Thirteen tourists have fallen sick with the bacteria, which can trigger meningitis, blood poisoning and pneumonia, after being admitted to hospital in Gran Canaria.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned there's a threat the bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae could spread to other countries.
The 13 tourists were all from Sweden and Norway, an ECDC report reveals.
They were taken into hospital between January and April of this year.
Tests have shown "tight clustering" between the cases - meaning they are likely to all be linked to a similar source.
Experts from the ECDC said the risk for individual travellers to pick up the bug does remain "very low".
The risk is higher if a holidaymaker ends up in hospital, or at a medical centre.
And if travellers end up in hospital on their return home, there's a risk the bug could spread across borders.
The ECDC report states: "However, if carriers of the bacteria are admitted to a hospital in their country of origin, there is a high risk for further transmission and outbreaks if carriage is not detected and if adequate prevention and control measures are not in place.
"Whole genome sequencing analysis indicates a common place of acquisition for the cases.
"Given the large number of tourists visiting Gran Canaria, one hospital may become the source of spread to other European countries when patients are transferred from one country to another, making this cluster a cross-border threat."
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common bacteria that is usually harmless.
The bugs live in your intestines, not causing any problems.
But, when the bacteria get into other parts of the body, they can pose a threat - especially if you're already sick.
They can turn into "superbugs", that are almost impossible to treat with antibiotics, according to WebMD.
The bacteria can also trigger pneumonia, where the tiny air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid, and can prove deadly.
While for most people the bacteria will prove no problem, there are some people who are at greater risk.
They include alcoholics, those with cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, liver and lung disease.
The bugs are spread through direct contact, dirty hands touching a wound for example, which is why it's most likely in hospital or healthcare settings.
Holidaymakers who are worried can keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- fever
- cough
- chest pain
- trouble breathing
- thick, or bloody mucus
Klebsiella pneumoniae becomes really dangerous when it infects other parts of the body.
It's known to trigger blood poisoning or septicaemia/sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, cellulitis as UTIs.
If you spot any of the signs, or suspect something is wrong, seek medical help.
And holidaymakers can take steps to prevent infection, in the first place.
Always wash your hands before you eat, touch you eyes, nose or mouth, or change plasters or bandages on a cut.
MOST READ IN HEALTH
And wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing and touching dirty surfaces, especially in doctor's surgeries or hospitals.
The ECDC report said all EU countries should consider taking detailed history of any travel and hospitalisations abroad, of all patients.
The report adds: "All patients who are directly transferred or were hospitalised in a foreign country 12 months prior to hospital admission may be considered for screening."
In 2016, more than 15 million holidaymakers from the EU, mainly Spain, UK and Germany, travelled to the Canary Islands, according to the International Air Transport Association.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours