At least 14 foreigners contract Leggionaires' disease in Bali, Indonesia

DENPASAR, INDONESIA: At least 14 foreigners have contracted Legionnaires' disease in Indonesia's Bali island, which is the country's most visited beach resort, local media reported Sunday.

Health officials confirmed that on January 21, a total of 11 cases were reported: including 9 Australians, one Dutch, and one French: all of whom have already returned to their homes. However, an additional three cases were reported, involving three Australian nationals, the Jakarta Globe reported.

Bali's Health Office chief Nyoman Sutedja said the country's Health Ministry and the World Health Organization had located the origin of the infection in a hotel near the Matahari Square, which is located in one of Bali's most popular touristic areas, Kuta.

Officials are fearing that the bacteria causing the disease could spread throughout the island as it is a water vapor-borne bacteria.

Leggionaires' disease is a potentially fatal infection caused by bacteria and could produce pneumonia. In July 2010, an Australian tourist died after experiencing symptoms similar to those caused by Legionnaires' disease.

(BNO NEWS )