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Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include high fever, muscle pain and persistent cough
An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease has killed five people and infected
more than 230 others in Portugal, the authorities there say.
Most of the cases have been in Vila Franca de Xira, a town about 25km (16 miles) north-east of Lisbon.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the outbreak constitutes a "major public health emergency".
Legionnaires' disease is a pneumonia-like lung infection caused by the legionella bacteria.
The source of the outbreak is yet to be found. Local media report that
the bacteria has been discovered in a cooling tower in Vila Franca de
Xira, but it is thought there may be other sources.
'Unusual and unexpected'
Thirty-eight people are being treated in intensive care, officials say.
Facilities in many of the capital's hospitals were stretched because of
the outbreak, Portuguese media reported.
"This is the biggest Legionnaire's disease (outbreak) in Portugal and is
considered a major public health emergency," WHO spokesman Christian
Lindmeier said.
The outbreak was "unusual and unexpected", Mr Lindmeier added.
Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva has expressed his condolences
to the victims. He said the public should trust the health authorities
to deal with the outbreak.
Legionnaires' disease is caught by inhaling infected water. The bacteria
can grow in cooling towers, air conditioning and other artificial water
supply systems.
It mostly affects people aged over 50, with those already in poor health most at risk.
It was first identified in the US in the 1970s following an outbreak at a
hotel hosting a veteran organisation known as the American Legion.
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