DID YOU KNOW LEGIONNAIRESDISEASE?

DID YOU KNOW LEGIONNAIRES      DISEASE?

BY;MY ENVIRONMET

It is a disease caused by Legionella bacteria. It affects the lungs and has the potential to be lethal. The bacteria can be found in any freshwater environment, but the conditions for the spread of the disease are temperature related.

Legionella bacteria require two things to thrive:
• Water temperature of 20-45ºC
• Impurities such as rust, sludge, algae and limescale.

How do people become infected?

Individuals become infected by breathing in the bacteria present in droplets of contaminated water, such as steam in a sauna, or fine water droplets from showering. The only way people can become ill from drinking contaminated water is if it “goes down the wrong way” and enters the lungs. Legionella is not spread from person to person.

Did you know: An estimated 10-15% of otherwise healthy people who contract Legionnaires’ disease will die. In 2010, there were 38 deaths from Legionnaires’ disease in England and Wales. nhs.uk

Where is Legionella most likely to be found?

It is not so much where Legionella is found, but more what conditions cause it to thrive. Water systems left to stand are at increased risk, so unused properties and large buildings could be said to be where Legionella is most likely found.

Water systems known to be susceptible to contamination:
• Large building water supplies such as Hotels and Hospitals
• Water cooled Air Conditioning systems
• Cooling Towers

In the right conditions Legionnaires Disease can also originate from:

• Sprinkler systems
• Showers
• Humidifiers

Prevention of Legionnaires Disease

Just as Legionnaires requires two factors to thrive, there are two major factors for its prevention.

1. Water systems should be cooled to below 20ºC or heated to above 60ºC.
2. Water should be free from impurities, which includes preventing stagnation.

It is a legal requirement for anyone who owns, or is responsible for, a water system that the public can access to take steps to prevent Legionnaires Disease.