Legionnaires' Disease - What is it?
Legionnaires' Disease is named after a pneumonia type infection which affected a number of US ex-servicemen or Legionnaires who were attending a conference in Philadelphia in 1976. On that occasion over 200 people were infected and 34 died. There have been numerous cases of the disease around the world since then.
Legionnaires' disease is caused by a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila which is a very common organism that can grow in water systems operating mainly between 20°C and 60°C. The disease is an infection of the lungs caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, and it is contracted by breathing in water droplets (aerosols) containing the Legionella pneumophila bacteria.
In Ireland it is most commonly found in showers, water storage tanks, water heaters and water distribution systems. It is found in all types of buildings including hotels, hospitals, fitness and leisure centres, colleges, offices, government buildings and manufacturing plants. On average, up to 5% of all samples taken from these buildings show positive tests for the Legionella bacteria.
