Cyprus' Ministry of Health has said it has not yet issued a final report into the source of a Legionella infection in a newborn, responding to claims by Nicosia Polyclinic that the facility had been excluded as the source of exposure.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Dr Michalis Mendris, a member of the Ministry's Epidemiological Surveillance Unit, said specialised laboratory results are still pending.
"We do not yet have final results or a final report," Mendris said.
The samples have been sent to a European reference laboratory in France, with results expected no later than next week.
Samples taken from hospital and home
Mendris said the Ministry collected samples from all locations where the infant may have been exposed following confirmation of the infection, including both the hospital and the child's home.
He explained that detecting Legionella in a water system and in a patient is not sufficient on its own to identify the source of infection.
A more detailed analysis is required to compare the bacterial strain found in the newborn with strains identified in individual water samples.
Cooperation with European reference laboratory
The Ministry is working through the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and a reference laboratory in France to carry out the specialised testing.
According to Mendris, the results are necessary to complete the epidemiological investigation and determine whether the source of infection can be conclusively identified.
Ministry responds to Polyclinic statement
Asked about a statement issued by Nicosia Polyclinic, which said laboratory findings showed the hospital was not the source of the infant's exposure, Mendris stressed that the official investigation is being conducted by the Ministry and that no final conclusion has yet been issued.
Clinic allowed to reopen
Mendris confirmed that the Polyclinic carried out disinfection and sterilisation work on its water system following the incident.
After conducting follow-up inspections and testing for Legionella, the Ministry concluded that the facility could resume operations.
"One issue concerns the positive case itself, while the other concerns the operation of the clinic. These are two separate matters," he said.
Source: CNA
