Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia, induced by a bacteria from the Legionella family, usually the Legionella pneumophlia bacteria.
The bacteria can be found in the environment, and is found in small amounts in natural water, usually not amounting to a contagious dose. The problem is generated when high concentrations of the bacteria develop at an accelerated rate in the water supply systems due to the following conditions (one or more):
- Standing water systems
- Temperature ranging between 25-45 degrees Celsius
- Rust and scale sedimentation
Mostly this involves a handful of infections, with no connection between them, but sometimes outbreaks may occur which are related to a common source of exposure. The disease is not transmitted between people.
The disease is transmitted through the respiratory system after inhaling air borne water particles contaminated with Legionella bacteria. The air borne drops can arrive from various sources such as: bathing and use of hot water (especially from shower heads), flow pools (jacuzzi), fountains, air-conditioning cooling towers, air-conditioning systems based on air cooling through direct contact with water.
The Ministry of Health has published
instructions for different places of business and
instructions to the general public, on how to protect against the development of Legionella in water systems. The risk lies mainly in central hot water systems (such as in hotels, health institutions) and in places of business or facilities generating aerosols (air-borne drops) such as: jacuzzi, water fountains, cooling towers.
The Environmental Health Department guarantees that places of business subject to the responsibility of the Ministry of Health meet the requirements. The types of business under supervision include: hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, spas with jacuzzi and so on.
