Legionella
Overview
In 2017, there were almost 7,500 cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported in the United States, according to the CDC. Additionally, the rate of legionellosis cases reported has increased by nearly five and a half times since 2000. Because the disease is often underdiagnosed, this number is most likely an underestimate of the true number of cases. Legionella is bacteria that is naturally-occurring in fresh water aquatic systems and becomes a risk when it enters human-made water and plumbing systems. It thrives in warm water environments and is known to grow in hot tubs, spas, pools, fountains, ice machines, and faucets.
The Legionella bacteria was first discovered in 1976 in Philadelphia during an American Legion Convention. Many participants at the convention became ill with a type of pneumonia, which was later found to be caused by the respiration and inhalation of water droplets containing the Legionella bacteria.
The respiration or inhalation of water droplets or aerosols containing the bacteria can lead to community-acquired pneumonia, or Legionnaires’ disease along with Pontiac Fever which is a milder form of legionellosis that presents flu-like symptoms. There are over 60 species of Legionella, with six different serogroups that can cause disease in humans but most cases of legionellosis are caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, the pneumonic form of Legionella.
Environmental Health Significance
Because Legionella is a recently-emerging environmental health issue, the resources and materials available to address the concerns presented by the bacteria are insufficient. The significant increase in reported legionellosis cases over the last two decades results in a demand for more comprehensive public and environmental health programs to target the risks associated with Legionella. In addition, further education and training for public and environmental health professionals around building water systems and premise plumbing is necessary to develop programs for preventing and mitigating these risks.
What roles do environmental health programs play in the prevention and investigation of Legionella?
In many instances, environmental health programs serve as a nexus - bringing together information from academia, industry, clinicians, and the community to address environmental issues that impact public health. This is especially true with legionella -- where ongoing research, diagnosis, and industry practices evolve daily. NEHA in continuing to engage all of these sectors in identifying and developing best practices, impactful partnerships, and applying the latest research. Our initial scan has identified the following needs and core competencies needed for a well -rounded program.
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Legionella Resources
- Water Management Program Template
- Developed by a collaborative workgroup including public health and environmental health staff from multiple health departments, this template is intended to be an interactive tool that facilities can use to help create or improve their water management program, specifically taking into consideration Legionella control and prevention. Many types of facilities can use this template, including healthcare facilities, apartment buildings, recreational water facilities, hotels, and more.
- Online Course: CDC's Preventing Legionnaires’ Disease: A Training on Legionella Water Management Programs
- CDC Water Management Program Toolkit
- CDC Legionella Information
- EPA Legionella Literature Review
- 2017 Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Requirement to Reduce Legionella Risk in Health Care Facilities
CDC Legionnaires' Disease Factsheet
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