Legionaires disease causes inflammation of the lungs. The bacteria which causes Legionnaires is a bacterim called legionella pneumophila. It causes a type of pneumonia which is of a greater severity than the reular pneumonia. Legionllla bacteria can also cause Pontiac fever which is a milder condition. It does not progress to pneumonia. People catch the legionella bacteria by inhaling small droplets of water, areosols or steam which contain the legionella bacterium.
Most people who are exposed to legionella do not catch the disease, persons who are immune compromised are most at risk. Legionnaires disease does not spread from person to person. The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease mimick that of the flu. Muscle aches, headaches, fever and fatigue are common symptoms. Symptoms typically occur between 2-10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria.
Any water system that produces aerosols poses a risk:-
Did you know that there is a risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease from hot tubs, Jacuzzis and whirlpool spa baths that are not installed, disinfected or maintained correctly?
The combination of warm water, warm weather and stagnant water creates the ideal environment for Legionella bacteria to grow. Add to the fact that the agitation of the water can produce aerosols, which can be inhaled. Although the water may be frequently changed, stagnant water containing Legionella bacteria may remain in the jets and could re-enter the bath when next used. A person can get infected with Legionella when they breathe in aerosols and steam from a contaminated hot tub, Jacuzzi or whirlpool spa.
You can prevent Legionella risk to guests, staff, the public and your establishment by taking preventive action immediately. Learn how our legionella testing services can help you.
Legionella Hot Tub, Jacuzzi and Whirlpool Spa testing
Legionella bacterium is commonly found in natural and man made aquatic environments. Legionella bacteria can possibly be found in any municipal water system. Legionella poses a health risk when the bacteria proliferates in warm stagnant water, and if the water is aerosolized and the droplets are inhaled. Legionella generally does not pose a health risk if a person drinks the water. When a person inhales or aspirates droplets containing the legionella bacterium they can get a serious lung infection known as Legionnaires’ disease or an infection known as Pontiac fever. Legionnaires’ disease has symptoms similar to pneumonia and can be fatal; while Pontiac fever is a milder infection that typically gets better without the need for medical intervention.
Small amounts of Legionella bacteria can grow in untreated or stagnant systems and can lead to an outbreak of legionnaires disease. Legionella can be found in both hot and cold water.
There are several elements that can promote the growth of Legionella bacteria in potable water including:
All decorative fountains produce aerosols. Safe operation and regular maintenance protect guest, employees and visitors from exposure to legionella. Legionella bacteria which causes Legionnaires disease is present in naturally occurring water sources, but it can develop at alarming rates in fountains and ornamental water features if the conditions are ideal. Legionella bacteria multiply in water temperatures of 20-45°C. if the water feature is inside a building or located outside in the sun, the water can warm up to this range. Stagnation of water inside the fountain can occur if the pump is non functional. This can lead to a significant increase in the level of risk of legionella growth. Outdoor water fountains which create a fine mist has a greater ability to spread water droplets on a windy day and is more difficult to maintain at a cool temperature on a sunny day. This is particularly difficult to manage in our tropical climate.
Most cooling towers are likely to become contaminated with Legionella, the bacteria that can cause legionnaire’s disease at some point in their serviceable life. Cool tower systems are a concern because they contain pools of warm water that are open to the environment and thus present the perfect breeding grounds for Legionella Bacteria, if they are not properly cleaned, disinfected and maintained.
To cause harm Legionella bacteria must first be inhaled. Legionella bacteria is associated with several lung conditions of varying severity. These conditions range from the relatively mild Pontiac Fever to the potentially deadly Legionnaires ’ disease. Given that cooling towers emits evaporated water into the atmosphere, it can potentially create a scenario where legionella contaminated water droplets are sent into the air and transported far distances by the wind. These contaminated droplets can then be inhaled not just by those immediately near the cooling tower, but by anyone who is in the vicinity. If a cooling tower is not properly tested, cleaned and maintained on a regular basis it can easily become a real danger to people across a wide area. A CDC ELITE laboratory like Environmental Testing & Consultancy Services Ltd can assist in the evaluation of the cooling tower system.
Water temperature also plays a critical role as legionella will multiply at temps between 20-45°C. temperatures below 20°C makes legionella dormant. They are killed off at temperatures >60°C.
