3rd Cyprus baby dies of Legionnaires’ disease

updated 2:23 p.m. ET Jan. 7, 2009

NICOSIA, Cyprus - Officials say a third baby has died from an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at a private clinic in the Cypriot capital.

A total of 11 babies were infected, and one is on a respirator in critical condition at the state-run Makarios Hospital, according to Andreas Hadjidemetriou, a doctor there.

One baby died Wednesday and two others last week. The other seven are out of danger.

All the babies were born last month at the Ippocration clinic and were less than 2 weeks old when they became ill.

The clinic was shut down Tuesday after preliminary state laboratory tests found high levels of the legionella bacterium in its water supply system and maternity ward.

Police are investigating how the outbreak was caused and who may be at fault.

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