STOCKHOLM, Aug. 30 (xinhuanet) --
Nine cases of Legionnaires' disease and two suspected cases have been discovered in August in the Swedish city of Lidkoeping, with an elderly man dead, the Swedish News Agency reported Monday.

Legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, was found in the victim's body, an anti-epidemic institute said. The man also had other ailments.

Legionnaires' disease, also known as Legionellosis, is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria in water droplets. The bacteria could spread quickly in hot water and air conditioning systems.

The disease assumed the current name in 1976 when an outbreak killed 29 people at an American Legion Convention in Philadelphia.

According to the institute, three cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported in July in Sweden's northern city of Umeaa. One died of the disease.

In the July outbreak, water spray system used to keep fruits and vegetables wet in a big market of the city was suspected to be the source of the infection. The suspicion was later rejected by experts, but the use of such spray system was, nevertheless, ordered to be stopped.

Experts said air conditioners may be one of the causes of the outbreak in Lidkoeping. But it was not ruled out that other spray systems may also carry the bacteria, experts said.

Legionnaires' disease is found worldwide and does not spread from person to person. Most people exposed to it never get sick, but the elderly and people with weak immune systems can be susceptible. Enditem

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