WHAT IS LEGIONELLA
Legionella pneumophilia is a bacterium that can cause severe pneumonia (legionellosis) in humans with a 20% chance of death (Legionnaires' disease); this bacterium can also cause flu-like symptoms (called Pontiac fever).
HOW YOU GET INFECTED
Infection occurs by inhaling aerosols (very small contaminated water droplets that enter the air) that are atomized via showers, hot tubs, fountains, cooling towers (as recently in the Ghent port area). The disease is not contagious, so it is not transmissible from one person to another; pets cannot get infected either.
The Legionella bacterium grows well in stagnant water between 20 and 50 °C, for example in boilers and kettles where the temperature is set too low, and where they can then be atomized into the air, allowing people to inhale them.
SYMPTOMS
The first symptoms appear after two to ten days and vary from a slight fever (flu-like form = Pontiac fever) to a more severe pneumonia (Legionnaires' disease) with muscle pain, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and high fever (above 39°C) and possibly vomiting and diarrhea.
It is important that treatment with the correct antibiotics is started as quickly as possible. Late treatment can lead to a long period of illness and even death.
HOW TO PREVENT INFECTION IN THE WORKPLACE
Below 20°C and above 60°C, the bacterium is killed. It is important to avoid growth-promoting conditions: stagnant water, water temperature between 20°C and 50°C, presence of microorganisms, water sources where water mist is released.
Problems that may arise: insufficient insulation of pipes, placing hot and cold water circuits too close together, large distance between heating point and tap point, insufficient flow during circulation, insufficient cleaning and descaling of boilers and shower and tap heads.
It is important to draw up a management plan (description of the installation, risk assessment, and preventive measures) as legally stipulated in the Legionella Decree Flanders.
For expert advice, you can always contact your prevention service Premed 016 308 111 or at info@premed.be
