Legionnaires Disease

What is Legionnaires?

Legionellosis is a potentially fatal disease caused by Legionella bacteria. It is the most well known of a group of diseases called Legionellosis.

Legionellosis takes two distinct forms:

Legionnaires' disease is the more severe form of the infection and produces pneumonia which can be fatal.
Pontiac fever is caused by the same bacterium but produces a milder respiratory illness without pneumonia that resembles flu like illnesses.

How is the infection caused?

The infection is caused by breathing in droplets of water contaminated by Legionella bacteria.

Is the Disease contagious?

The disease is not contagious.

Where are the Legionella bacterium found?

Legionella bacterium are common in rivers and ponds, they may also contaminate and grow in other systems such as hot and cold water services and cooling towers.

Legionella Outbreaks

Legionella pneumophila is an organism that thrives in temperatures between 20 and 45 °C, with an optimum around 35 °C. Rust, sludge, scale, algae and other bacteria which may be present within the water system will cause the Legionella bacteria to thrive.

Symptoms associated with Legionnaires disease

Some people can be infected with the Legionella bacterium and have only mild symptoms or no illness at all.

· Fever
· Chills
· Cough
· Muscle Aches
· Headaches
· Tiredness
· Loss of appetite
· Loss of Coordination
· Occasional diarrhoea/vomiting

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