Resources to Help Prevent New Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever

Legionnaires’ disease is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a serious type of pneumonia caused by exposure to a type of bacteria known as Legionella. The bacteria can also cause Pontiac fever, a less serious illness.

Legionella can be found naturally in freshwater environments. It becomes a significant health concern if it grows and spreads in man-made water systems. This is due to the fact that water containing Legionella can spread in droplets small enough for people to inhale, which is how people get infected. Tragically, the condition is fatal for about 1 in 10 who develop Legionnaires’ disease.

Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. People at increased risk according to the CDC include:

• People 50 years or older
• Current or former smokers
• Those with a chronic lung disease (like COPD or emphysema)
• People with weak immune systems or who take drugs that weaken the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy)
• Those with cancer
• People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver failure

“Other potential sources of Legionella, in addition to building water systems, may include hot tubs, cooling towers, decorative fountains and even cisterns,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “These are all reasons why water management programs to reduce exposure risks are so important. At CSC, our infection control, industrial hygiene and environmental professionals are dedicated to helping hospitals, long-term care centers, businesses and other clients develop, administer and monitor water management programs. These services, along with proactive testing, can help to prevent outbreaks. If one has already occurred, these resources can be instrumental for quickly identifying the source of the Legionella to prevent further infections.”

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/ZP9AotQ2_gE

To learn more about water management programs or other indoor air quality, building science, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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Paul Cochrane

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