Estudio epidemiológico de la legionelosis en España. Año 2024

Introduction: Legionellosis is a disease of environmental origin transmitted through aerosols of water contaminated with Legionella pneumophila. Legislation for the control of risk facilities and surveillance for the early detection of outbreaks are the key elements for its control. We carried out and presented the analysis of legionellosis cases reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE) during 2024. Method: Descriptive epidemiological analysis of legionellosis cases reported in 2024 in Spain. Information on travel-associated Legionnaires’ disease within the European Surveillance Network as well as data outbreaks were also analysed. Results: A total of 2,204 cases were reported, of which 2,177 were locally acquired, resulting in a notification rate (NR) of 4.48 per 100,000 inhabitants. This represented a 5.20% decrease compared with 2023. A total of 1,426 cases occurred in men (NR=5.98, median age: 56 years) and 751 in women (NR=3.03, median age: 74 years). The highest rates were observed in those 65 years and older, for both men and women, but the average annual percent change was higher in woman than in men. Case-fatality increased with age. The overall case fatality rate was 10% (218/2,177), 8.3% (119/1,426) in men, and 13.2% (99/751) in women. Conclusions: The upward trend of the disease has slowed over the last three years. The disease affected more men than women, and predominantly elderly people and those with risk factors. However, lethality in women has surpassed that of men, especially after age 65.