Irish Holidaymakers Warned Of Bacteria Outbreak In The Canary Islands

Irish holiday makers are being warned to look out for the symptons a serious bug doing the rounds in the Canary Islands.

13 tourists have already fallen sick with the bacteria which can trigger blood poisoning, meningitis and pneumonia.

According to the Irish Sun, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned that the bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, could spread to other countries.

The thirteen victims were all from Sweden and Norway, according to the ECDC and were taken to hospital between January and April.

Due to test results showing "tight clustering" of cases, it is believed they all come from one similar source.

ECDC experts say the risk to individual travellers remains low,

The risk increases if holiday-makers are admitted to hospitals or medical centres in Spain.

If people then end up in hospitals at home, the bug could spread across borders.

“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.”

The bacteria, which usually inhabits the intestines without causing any problems, is a threat when it goes into other parts of the body, especially if you are sick already.

It can cause blood poisoning or septicaemia/sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, cellulitis as UTIs.

Holidaymakers who are worried can keep an eye out for these symptoms:

fever
cough
chest pain
trouble breathing
thick, or bloody mucus

People are being asked to seek medical help if they spot any of the signs or feel unwell.

You can minimise the threat and spread of the bacteria by following these instructions.

Always wash your hands before you eat, touch your mouth, nose or eyes or change plasters or bandages on a cut.

And wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, coughing or sneezing, blowing your nose and touching dirty surfaces, especially in doctor’s surgeries, medical centres or hospitals.

Stay safe, lads.