The world has long faced challenges from Legionella, a bacterium which causes Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, that is contracted by inhaling aerosolized water droplets containing the bacterium. These bacteria are opportunistic pathogens that thrive in freshwater environments but can turn into a great health risk in the event that they start to grow in human-made water systems, such as cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing systems. Knowing some of the key facts about Legionella will certainly help in preventing this disease. In this article, we present eleven interesting facts about this bacterium.
1. Legionella was named after an outbreak
The name “Legionella” is derived from an outbreak that happened in 1976 at an American Legion convention held in Philadelphia. This incident led to the discovery of the bacterium and hence, named Legionella pneumophila in honor of the affected group.
2. Legionella are attracted to Warm Water
According to facts on Legionella, these bacteria can grow best in warm water temperatures, mostly between 20°C and 50°C. The usual dwelling places of these microorganisms are in hot tubs, cooling towers, and water heaters. Knowing this is essential in having a control of the spread of Legionella.
3. Legionella take shelter in Biofilms
Biofilms are slimy layers of bacteria that grow on submerged surfaces in aquatic environments. The Legionella bacteria survive inside these biofilms because they protect them from general severe conditions and disinfectants. This means of survival makes the complete eradication of Legionella from water systems quite difficult. Survival in biofilms is one of the interesting facts about Legionella.
4. Legionnaires’ Disease Is Often Underreported
Facts about Legionella indicate that Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia with common symptoms like cough, fever, muscle pain and headaches and is generally underreported and underdiagnosed.
5. The Bacteria Can Infect Through Inhalation
A person can get infected with Legionella by inhaling the aerosol that contains the bacteria. Contaminated water sources such as showers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, and cooling towers can be the source of such aerosols. This is one of the concerning facts about Legionella.
6. Copper and Silver Ionization Is an Effective Control Method
Copper and silver ions, when introduced to the water, are toxic to Legionella. The ions disrupt their cell walls, ultimately affecting their growth and reproductive processes. This method is particularly useful in large water systems, such as those in hospitals and hotels, where the use of chemical disinfectants may not be applicable.
7. Legionella Can Be Resistant to Chlorine
Chlorine is one of the most commonly applied disinfectants to suppress bacterial amplification in water systems. Legionella can sometimes be resistant to it due to their ability to live inside biofilms for protection. Hence, proper chlorine levels should be maintained and, at the same time, additional control measures to manage the risk of Legionella should be implemented. This is one of the important facts about Legionella
8. Routine Testing of water systems Is Essential for Prevention
Routine testing of water using molecular and culture techniques helps in detecting Legionella and allowing timely strategic actions to prevent outbreaks. Monitoring water temperatures, disinfectant levels, and the presence of biofilms is also helpful.
9. Legionella are found in Natural Water sources
Facts about Legionella is generally present in freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and streams. However, they are usually in low quantity and pose only little risk in these settings. The concern arises when Legionella enters man-made water systems where the environmental conditions promote an enormous growth in bacterial populations. Maintenance and disinfection of these systems are therefore necessary to prevent the amplification of Legionella,as highlighted in the facts about Legionella.
10. Legionella Outbreaks Can Be Expensive
An outbreak is a costly affair, incurring medical costs to treat the infected individual, cleaning and disinfection of contaminated water systems, and worst of all, possible litigation. Further, there is a loss of reputation that has an adverse impact on customers’ footfall and business. Preventive measures and periodic testing are the way out from such costly aftermaths.
11. Rising Global Awareness and Regulations
There has been a rising global awareness about Legionella infection. Most countries have developed guidelines and standards for preventing and controlling Legionella in water systems. These include regular risk assessments, water management plans, and specific actions for high-risk environments. Compliance with these regulations is crucial for protecting public health and ensuring the minimized risk of outbreaks by Legionella.
Understanding facts about Legionella, the risks, and the intricacies involved in the prevention of outbreaks and the protection of public health is very important. Ensuring the safety of the water systems within an organization lies squarely on collaborating with professional testing and validation services. At Microbial Investigations Switzerland (MIS), we offer comprehensive testing services for sanitary ware systems with antimicrobial properties and disinfectants designed to combat Legionella. Whether you are developing antimicrobial coatings, disinfectants, or other hygiene products, trust MIS for rigorous testing and validation needed to ensure their effectiveness against Legionella.
Contact us today to learn more about how our specialized services can support your product development and compliance needs.
