Is Legionnaires disease caused by a virus?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It’s caused by a bacterium known as legionella. Most people catch Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil.
How many cases of Legionnaires disease are there in 2019?
There were 13 lab-confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease, including one death, and 66 probable cases of Legionnaires’ disease related to the outbreak.
What caused the outbreak of Legionnaires disease?
People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria. Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of drinking water containing Legionella. This happens when water accidently goes into the lungs while drinking.
Is Legionnaires disease an epidemic?
It took many years of mysterious outbreaks of pneumonia with no discernible cause, followed by the major outbreak in Philadelphia, before the disease was officially named and recognised. However, even today, outbreaks still occur, so there is much more to do before cases of Legionnaires’ can be eradicated.
What is the most common way to contract Legionnaires disease?
People contract Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small droplets of water (aerosols), suspended in the air, containing the bacteria. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella if: the water temperature in all or some parts of the system may be between 20-45 °C, which is suitable for growth.
Why is it called Pontiac fever?
Pontiac fever was named for Pontiac, Michigan, where the first case was recognized. In 1968, several workers at the county’s department of health came down with a fever and mild flu symptoms, but not pneumonia.
How serious is Legionella?
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious, life-threatening illness that requires prompt treatment. Legionella may also cause a milder condition referred to as Pontiac fever. Pontiac fever doesn’t cause pneumonia and isn’t life-threatening. It has symptoms similar to those of a mild flu, and it usually goes away on its own.
What year was Legionnaires disease?
Legionella was discovered after an outbreak in 1976 among people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion. Those who were affected suffered from a type of pneumonia that eventually became known as Legionnaires’ disease.