Legionellosis refers to two illnesses associated with the legionella bacterium. When the bacterium Legionella causes severe pneumonia, the disease is referred to as Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella can also cause a less severe influenza-like illness known as Pontiac Fever.
Most of the cases of legionellosis are the result of exposure to Legionella associated with building water systems.
The presence alone of Legionella bacteria in building water systems is not sufficient to cause legionellosis. Other factors including environmental conditions, water temperatures, etc. and a means of transmitting the bacteria to people in the building via aerosol generation are necessary to cause a sporadic case, a cluster or an outbreak of disease as a result of exposure.
People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water (Aerosols) in the air that contain Legionella:
The case fatality rate for legionnaires disease ranges from 5-30%
Given the incidence of Legionellosis and its associated harm, personal injury claims and litigation are becoming more frequent.
Reported settlements and jury awards range from $255,000 to $5.2 million. In addition to negative media attention, business interruption and reputation damage.
Keeping Legionella out of water systems in buildings is key to preventing infection.
Water management programs identify hazardous conditions and take steps to minimize the growth and transmission of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in building water systems.
The European Surveillance Network reports that I out of every 5 cases of Legionnaires disease is travel associated.
