Brussels, 06/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - Dutch Green MEP, Kathalijne Buitenweg, Portuguese Socialist, Paulo Casaca, British Labour Party MEP, Neena Gill, Dutch Socialist, Michiel van Hulten and Dutch Liberal, Lousewies van der Laan have written to President Cox asking him to transfer the next plenary session planned in Strasbourg, to Brussels. They are concerned about the discovery of the Legionnaires Disease bacteria (legionella pneumophila) in rooms at the EP in Strasbourg. In their letter they mention the "serious risks" that could threaten the health of MEPs, Assistant Officials and visitors and assert that this incident, "which is the direct result of the Strasbourg building standing empty for all but four days a month - once again illustrates the serious difficulties caused by Parliament's two-seat arrangement".
The President of the College of Quaestors, Jacques Poos (Socialist, Luxembourg) explains in a letter that the bacteria was found in the hot water production and distribution system and that a treatment using chlorine was used. New analyses were carried out on 8 June but the results will not be known until the week of 17-21 June. In accordance with the precautionary principle, the hot water is being suspended as a matter of priority in the Tower of the Louise Weiss building. According to experts, there are no problems in using EP buildings in Strasbourg, indicated Mr Poos at the end of his letter.
Discovered for the first time in 1976, this disease owes its name to a congress of the American Legion held in Philadelphia that year, where 180 case were recorded, 29 of them being fatal, out of the 4,500 participants. It is recognised by flu-like symptoms and pneumonia and is sometimes accompanied by neurological, digestive and kidney problems. Several kinds of anti-biotics are available for treating the disease.