UKHSA Briefing Note – 2025/020: Cluster of Legionnaires’ Disease cases associated with the Hotel Partner & Spa, Vlorë, Labëria region, Albania
On behalf of UKHSA
Please see attached: UKHSA Briefing Note – 2025/020: Cluster of Legionnaires’ Disease cases associated with the Hotel Partner & Spa, Vlorë, Labëria region, Albania.
In the last month, three confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been associated with the Hotel Partner & Spa, Vlorë, Labëria region, Albania. The cases are from three different regions in England. The three cases stayed at the same hotel between the 02 May and 16 May 2025 and had symptom onset in a 2 week-period (ending 22 May). This potentially indicates a rapidly evolving cluster (defined as three cases within a month of each other’s date of symptom onset).
While there is an association between Legionnaires’ disease occurrence and stays at this hotel, the hotel itself has not been confirmed as the source of infection. The Albanian public health authorities have been informed of the cluster via the International Health Regulations, National Focal Point (IHRNFP). WHO, ECDC and Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) have also been informed.
Clinicians should be alert to any patients that present with symptoms suggestive of Legionellosis (including muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever) with a history of recent travel to the Vlorë area, in the Labëria region of Albania.
In these cases, it is recommended that appropriate diagnostic tests are performed, these consists of urinary antigen tests and wherever possible, sputum samples should be obtained for PCR/culture.
Please notify any suspected Legionnaires’ disease case to the relevant health protection team (HPT) as soon as possible.
For further information on information in this briefing note contact the Legionella Surveillance Team Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) legionella@ukhsa.gov.uk.