How To Prevent The Spread Of Legionellosis?
Pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria is a severe clinical picture with a high mortality rate. This leads to promoting actions that can prevent the spread of legionellosis, in order to reduce its incidence.
This microorganism was discovered not long ago, in the 1970s, after an outbreak that occurred in the United States. This epidemic developed during a convention and thanks to this it was possible to reveal the method of transmission. Keep reading to find out.
What is Legionella pneumonia ?
The main causative agent of legionellosis is Legionella pneumophila . It is a bacterium with an affinity for stagnant water and, within the human body, for the lungs.
The microorganism grows and forms colonies in warm waters with little circulation. There he finds his environment suitable to develop freely.
Then, from its reproduction, it acquires the ability to move through the air in aerosolized particles. Consequently, it manages to float from stagnant and warm water through the ventilation ducts of buildings, either with or without a draft.
Once there, the next step is to enter a human host. During the initial outbreak in the United States, people acquired the germ by inhalation from the air conditioning vents of the place where they were gathered.
However, not everyone can end up with Legionella pneumonia . It is more common among people with risk factors exposed to a conducive environment.
Risk factors for the spread of legionellosis
In the first instance, the person must be exposed to a source of Legionella . This happens in particular situations and explains, to some extent, what must be done to prevent the spread of Legionnaires’ disease.
Tourist places, such as hotels or convention centers, are conducive environments. Especially those buildings that combine large ventilation systems with interconnected swimming pools and saunas.
So are sites with shared toilets. The quintessential example are public pools or very crowded in clubs. Hence, it is a pathology that must be prevented, especially in the summer.
Those admitted to clinics are not exempt, whatever the cause of their hospital stay. Probes, respirators, and other materials can become contaminated through the air ducts of these buildings.
Second, we have to mention the individual conditions that increase risk. People most likely to develop Legionella pneumonia include the following:
- Smokers
- Chronic lung patients with COPD or asthma.
- Immunosuppressed or immunosuppressed.
- Cancer patients.
Measures to prevent the spread of legionellosis
The prevention of the contagion of legionellosis has two edges. On the one hand, there are the hygiene measures that the owners and managers of buildings with water mirrors must take. On the other hand, we have personal recommendations to individuals who could be exposed to the bacteria.
Water care
Knowing that Legionella grows in warm waters, it is understood that saunas and whirlpools are favorable sites for the reproduction of the bacteria. Therefore, in hotels and tourism and leisure centers that have these elements, sanitary measures are essential.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests a water management plan that includes specific actions. This includes, broadly, the following:
- Design circulation of the liquids so that there is no stagnation.
- Regularly clean swimming pools, saunas, whirlpools and recreational pools.
- Disinfect the areas around the water bodies
Air care
Since air flows in buildings must be regulated to prevent the spread of legionellosis, measures have been studied that tend to reduce the spread of the bacteria. Structural air conditioners, for example, must be disinfected before being put into operation and checked regularly.
In cars there is no problem, since this air conditioner does not use water. But, on the other hand, the mist humidification systems that some businesses install for the summer do need attention.
Personal care
Ideally, for people who vacation in large hotels with pools, they should certify that it is a company that complies with sanitary standards. The same if you attend clubs or restaurants with artificial humidification.
At home the standards are easier to meet than at facilities because the volumes are smaller. It is a basic disinfection and prevents the water from remaining stagnant.
Attention in the summer!
Preventing the spread of legionellosis becomes relevant in the summer season. We have more assistance to water sources and we use more sites with air conditioners. Therefore, it is essential to take extreme measures at this time of year.
Some responsibilities are business, hotels, convention centers, bars, clubs and offices. Others are personal and individual, especially among people with risk factors.
