Legionella

What is Legionnaire’s Disease?

Legionnaire’s Disease is a relatively rare form of Pneumonia which can be very debilitating, difficult to treat and can be fatal in up to 15% of cases. However, Legionella bacteria is very common and may be found throughout the natural environment, in water sources such as Lakes, rivers and reservoirs. As a result it is imported into water distribution systems within premises.

How can I catch it?

The Legionella bacteria have to be inhaled deep into the lungs. Usually this requires a source of small water droplets or aerosol such as may be found in Cooling Tower drift, showers, spray taps etc. Spread of infection person to person has not been noted.

Several risk factors are significant for possibility of infection.

A water source with a high Legionella bacteria count
A means of creating an aerosol that can be breathed in
A person over 45 years of age
A person with a low tolerance to infection
Poorly maintained water distribution systems
Stagnant water

However the risk of infection is quite low, around 5% of those exposed.

What are the symptoms?

Abrupt onset at between 2 –10 days after exposure.
Flu like symptoms such as high fever, malaise, headache and dry cough.
Sometimes confusion and diarrhoea.

For further information visit the Health and Safety Executive's website by following the link on the right.

Cooling towers

All premises which have cooling towers and evaporative condensers must register with the local authority under The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992.

The main purpose of this is to identify potential areas that could give rise to spread of infectious disease e.g. legionella, and to ensure preventative measures are taken to eliminate the risk of such infection arising to employees and the public.

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