Legionella Disease
Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium.The range of symptoms include a 'flu-like' illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, dry cough and fever, leading on to pneumonia. Diarrhoea sometimes occurs and confusion may develop.
Legionnaires' disease is an uncommon but serious illness and deaths may occur in approximately 10-15% of otherwise healthy individuals. The number of deaths reported may be higher in some groups of patients, such as those who have weakened immune systems.
For further information & guidance see link:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/
The bacterium which causes Legionnaires' disease is widespread in nature. It mainly lives in water, for example ponds, where it does not usually cause problems. Outbreaks occur from purpose-built water systems where temperatures are warm enough to encourage growth of the bacteria, e.g. in cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas (trade name Jacuzzi) and from water used for domestic purposes in buildings such as hotels.
Most community outbreaks in the UK have been linked to installations such as cooling towers or evaporative condensers, which can spread droplets of water over a wide area. These are found as part of air-conditioning and industrial cooling systems.
For further information & guidance see link:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/
An outbreak of this disease occurred in Philadelphia in 1976, among people (Legionnaires) attending a state convention of the American Legion and led to naming the disease after this group. Subsequently, the bacterium causing the illness was identified and named Legionella pneumophila.
Is this a new disease?
No. Although the Legionella bacterium which causes the disease was identified in 1976, cases have been confirmed as far back as 1947 and some probably also occurred before then. However since 1976 further species of legionella have been identified in the environment such as Legionella longbeachae, Legionella micdadei or Legionella bozemanii. A number of these species can occasionally cause Legionnaires' disease.
For further information & guidance see link:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/LegionnairesDisease/GeneralInformation/
The UK has strict regulations to ensure that water systems used for air cooling or for use in commercial, tourist and other buildings or settings are maintained to standards that minimise risk from the disease and do not harbour the bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease.
Concerns have been raised about the link between compost and Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella longbeachae. The risk from exposure to this species is likely to be very low for the healthy and younger population but there is insufficient data to properly quantify the extent of the risk that compost and potting soils may pose. Evidence from Australia suggests that avoiding inhalation of dust or moisture droplets and good standards of personal hygiene when handling compost and soil may reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease.
To prevent the occurrence of Legionnaires' disease, companies that operate these systems must comply with regulations requiring them to manage, maintain and treat them properly. Amongst other things, this means that the water must be treated and the system cleaned regularly.
Pontiac Fever
Pontiac fever is a mild flu-like illness caused be legionella bacteria, often affecting previously healthy and young individuals. Symptoms can include fever, headaches and muscle aches but, unlike Legionnaires' disease, Pontiac fever does not cause pneumonia. The illness will usually clear up without treatment within two to three days. Pontiac Fever is a milder infection than Legionnaires' disease and both diseases are caused by the same types of Legionella bacteria.
Further further information and guidance, see link:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/PontiacFever/
For further information & guidance see link:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/