In a note sent to Lusa, ASR indicates that the presence of the bacteria “was detected around 16 days ago” at Escola Básica Professora Piedade Matoso, following analyses carried out within the scope of the Health Unit's local 'legionella' surveillance plan.

“Taking into account the presence of this microorganism in the analyses carried out, it was decided to close the facility and the management entities [of the school] were advised to clean and disinfect it”, the note reads.

According to the public health entity in the district of Faro, “there is no record, nor are there expected to be cases of Legionnaires' disease” in the community as a result of this contamination.

ASR adds that it is “following and monitoring this situation”, waiting for confirmation that the equipment has been cleaned and disinfected “to carry out new analyses”.