What precautions can be taken to prevent Legionnaires disease?
A. Legionnaires’ is considered an environmental disease because its causative agent (legionellae) is transmitted from an environmental source (water) to a person (in contrast with communicable diseases, such as AIDS, which are transmitted from person to person). Therefore, keeping legionellae out of water is the key to preventing the disease. For example, plumbing systems can be maintained to minimize the growth of legionellae. And if preventive measures alone do not control the bacteria, disinfection procedures can be implemented.
A. Legionnaires’ is considered an environmental disease because its causative agent (legionellae) is transmitted from an environmental source (water) to a person (in contrast with communicable diseases, such as AIDS, which are transmitted from person to person). Therefore, keeping Legionella bacteria out of water is the key to preventing the disease. For example, plumbing systems can be maintained to minimize the growth of Legionella. And if preventive measures alone do not control the bacteria, disinfection procedures can be implemented. For more information, see Protect Yourself from Legionnaires’ Disease: the waterborne illness that continues to kill and harm.
