Newborn in critical condition after contracting Legionnaires' disease at Nicosia clinic

A newborn baby remains in critical but stable condition at the Makarios Children’s Hospital in Nicosia after being diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. The infant, who is receiving mechanical support, had been born at a private clinic in Nicosia, where preliminary tests subsequently detected the Legionella pneumophila bacterium in the water supply network at two separate points. The Ministry of Health suspended the clinic's operations regarding new admissions, and all other newborns previously treated there were relocated to other facilities.

Health authorities, including the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit and the State General Laboratory, launched an investigation immediately following the diagnosis. Tests were conducted on water samples collected from both the private clinic and the infant’s family home, with definitive results expected by Thursday. A foreign specialist has been brought in to assist with the newborn's treatment, as doctors continue to monitor the patient's response to intensive care.

While this incident has raised concerns regarding hygiene protocols in private hospitals, officials from the Ministry of Health confirmed that no other cases linked to the facility have been identified. Routine checks on hospital water networks have been expanded, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure public safety.