Portugal will launch an investigation against a leading fertilizer company for an alleged "environmental crime" which could be at the root of the recent Legionnaires' outbreak, media reported Tuesday.
Portuguese Environment Minister Jorge Moreira de Silva said the investigation, to be carried out to find out if the outbreak has to do with refrigeration towers at the company, Adubos de Portugal, Xinhua reported.
He pointed out that it was too early to rule out other causes and it was still necessary to await "tests" and "definite results".
The deadly Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria, which can be transmitted through breathing mist from water and has already affected around 235 people and killed five.
