Healthcare news in Vila Franca de Xira, Lisboa, Portugal

Tejo Estuary Health Unit clarifies there is no bacterial outbreak

“There is no evidence of a campylobacteriosis outbreak, nor any information pointing to that possibility, and therefore there is no cause for concern for the population.” This is how the Tejo Estuary Local Health Unit, which includes the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital, clarifies reports broadcast by CMTV suggesting “an outbreak of campylobacteriosis in the area covered by this health unit.” In a statement released this Wednesday afternoon, May 20, the unit notes that during May it only had two diagnoses of campylobacteriosis: a 2-month-old child residing in Vila Franca de Xira, who was hospitalised and has since been discharged, and another, 10 months old, residing in the municipality of Alenquer, who remains hospitalised for clinical observation. In both cases, the clinical procedures indicated for the respective diagnoses were followed. It should be recalled that the father of the child still hospitalised told the media outlet that there were at least “ten cases,” according to what “doctors” had allegedly stated. The health unit further explains that through “epidemiological surveys conducted, no epidemiological link was identified between the reported episodes, and there is no evidence of an institutional outbreak, or any other, such as in daycares or close contact between the children mentioned.” Campylobacteriosis is an intestinal infection caused by the Campylobacter bacterium, and its transmission occurs mainly through the ingestion of contaminated food or water — especially raw or undercooked chicken and unpasteurised milk, or through contact with surfaces/inadequate handling. As the health unit further explains in the note sent, in most people this bacterium causes “symptoms of fever, diarrhoea and, in some cases, blood in the stool, which are non-specific and can occur in multiple clinical situations, namely viral gastroenteritis frequent in paediatric age.” In case of doubt, the unit recommends that users call the SNS 24 Line (808 24 24 24). An alternative strategy to antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria.