31
Aug
While the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the South Bronx has been declared over by New York City officials a week ago, outbreaks of the bacterial respiratory disease has popped up in other areas across the country.
Read the full article here.
- It is under diagnosed, and not as rare as you think.
- Cooling towers, evaporative condensers, humidifiers, domestic/potable hot water systems, fountains, spas, and respiratory equipment are all systems that can harbor and create an active growing environment and support the spread of the Legionella.
- Legionella cannot be passed between people. It is only transmitted to humans through airborne particles, i.e., inhaling or aspirating contaminated droplets from water systems that have not been properly cleaned and disinfected.
- Each year, an estimated 10,000 to 18,000 people are infected with the Legionella bacteria in the United States.
- Up to 30% of these cases prove to be fatal.
- Legionnaire’s disease can cause cough, high fever, pneumonia, and death. It can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
- It is preventable.
Download Aqualine’s brochure directly addressing Legionella and ways to combat it here.