A British tourist’s death from Legionnaires’ disease is being investigated by the Environmental Health Department, which would not reveal the hotel where he stayed.

“At this stage we do not feel that we should indicate the hotel in question,” said a spokesperson for the department.

Steve Whitehead, 59, visited the island in November and fell ill shortly after returning home to Billington, Lancashire.

He collapsed on December 1 and was admitted to the Royal Blackburn Hospital’s intensive care unit.

Mr Whitehead was later transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital where it was confirmed he had contracted Legionnaires.

He died on January 6.

The Maltese authorities were informed of Mr Whitehead’s infection by the European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network on Christmas Eve. They were only told of his death on January 13.

“Investigations started at the earliest possible time and are still ongoing,” said Charmaine Gauci, director of the department’s Disease Prevention Directorate.

Legionnaires’ disease is an uncommon form of pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. Victims are infected when they breathe in contaminated mist or vapour.

“One example might be breathing in steam from a whirlpool spa that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected,” Dr Gauci said.

Before Mr Whitehead, two fatal cases of Legionnaires’ were connected to Malta in the past five years – one in 2010 and another in 2013.

Two non-fatal local cases (victims with no history of overnight stays away from home during the incubation period) have already been recorded this year.

Of the 22 travel-associated cases since 2009 (see table), all involved foreigners except three in 2010 and one in 2011, who were Maltese with a history of travel abroad.

A travel-associated case would have spent at least one night away from home, either in their country of residence or abroad, in the 10 days before falling ill. One of the travel-associated cases in 2009 was a foreigner who was infected before arrival in Malta.

All 25 local cases in the past five years involved Maltese citizens.

“Every reported case, be it travel-associated or local, is investigated,” Dr Gauci said. The establishments involved are inspected and water samples collected for investigation.

If water systems need treatment, this is ordered and followed accordingly, she continued. “In particular cases, the hotel, part of the hotel, or the water system are closed.”

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are usually similar to severe flu and include fever, headache, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains and sometimes a dry cough.

They usually begin two to 14 days after being exposed, with the average being six to seven days.

Most people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not become infected. The risk rises with age, especially for smokers and those with long-term medical conditions that weaken the immune system.

Incidences of Legionnaires’ disease in Malta over the past five years

How many hotels had Legionnaires’ cases?

2009 – 3 hotels
2010 – 3 hotels
2011 – 3 hotels
2012 – 3 hotels
2013 – 4 hotels, 1 furnished holiday apartment