WHAT IS LEGIONELLA AND LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE?

Legionella is a pathogenic group of gram negative rod shaped bacteria. The family now includes 48 species and over 70 serogroups. Of these species, 19 are known to cause human infection, with Legionella Pneumophila serogroup 1 responsible for the majority of cases.

Legionella acquired its name after an outbreak of a then unknown “mystery disease”- which caused 34 deaths and 221 people to fall sick in the United States. The outbreak was first noticed among people attending a convention of the American Legion, which is an association of U.S. military veterans, between July 21st and 24th 1976. This epidemic among U.S. war veterans was widely publicised. On January 18, 1977, the causative agent was identified as a previously unknown bacterium, and subsequently named Legionella.

Legionnaires’ disease is the name given to a severe atypical pneumonia like infection associated with exposure to the bacteria. It is important to note- the disease does not spread from person to person and an individual must inhale bacteria-contaminated water droplets to become sick. Two to ten days after exposure to the bacteria, people may begin to feel a range of symptoms. This can include headaches, high fever, chills, and muscle aches. Several days later, symptoms become more severe and can include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. In some cases the disease results in death.

There is a milder form of Legionnaires’ called Pontiac fever, which produces mild flu like symptoms. It is believed to be caused by the inhalation of live/dead Legionella organisms plus endotoxins from non-Legionella bacteria.

Documented sources linked to illness include cooling towers, swimming pools, domestic water systems (showers), ice-making machines, refrigerated cabinets, whirlpool spas, fountains, dental equipment, soil and birthing pools.

Aqua Risk Management and Auditing Pty Ltd (ARMA), specialise in auditing cooling towers and warm water systems, and the development and auditing of risk management plans for sites containing these. We service clients all over New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Please visit our services page to explore how ARMA may help reduce your Legionella risk!