Posts Tagged ‘Legionella Risk Assessments’
Legionella Control & Management – Legionella Inspections, Legionella Risk Assessments
Legionnaire’s Disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which can affect anybody, but which principally affects those who are susceptible because of age, illness, immunosuppression, and smokers amongst others also figure in these groups.
It is caused by the bacterium legionella pneumophila and related bacteria that can be found naturally in environmental water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, usually in low numbers. As they are commonly found in environmental sources they may also be found in purpose built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas.
If the environment is favourable, the bacterium may grow creating conditions in which the risk from legionnaires’ disease is increased. It is therefore important to control the risks by introducing measures outlined in the Approved Code of Practice & guidance document Legionnaires’ disease – The Control of legionella bacteria in water systems (L8). This can be done through regular Legionella inspections and Legionella risk assessments.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to those of flu:
high temperature, fever and chills; cough; muscle pains; headache. In some cases, there may be pneumonia and occasionally, diarrhoea and signs of mental confusion.
Outbreaks of the illness occur from exposure to legionella growing in purpose-built systems where the water is maintained at a temperature high enough to encourage growth, and hot water systems used in all sorts of premises (commercial and domestic).
Most community outbreaks in the UK have been linked to installations such as cooling towers which can spread droplets of water over a wide area. These are found as part of air-conditioning and industrial cooling systems. Recent research by the Health Protection Agency has suggested that a number of UK Legionella cases can be linked to car windscreen washer, where detergents have not been used in the washer mixture.
Legionnaires’ fear as woman dies in south Wales
Dr Gwen Lowe of Public Health Wales reveals details of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in south Wales. A 64-year-old woman has died of suspected Legionnaires’ disease in south Wales. Another 13 people are being treated for the disease and 11 of the cases are said to be linked. Health officials said the outbreak is clustered around the Heads of the Valleys corridor.
Public Health Wales (PHW), the Health and Safety Executive and environmental health officers from seven council areas are investigating.The woman died in hospital on Monday, said Public Health Wales. “We have 14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease,” said a spokeswoman for PHW. “At present 11 can be linked together as an outbreak.
“The other three we cannot yet say for definite that they have anything in common with the 11, but we are continuing to investigate.” Investigations into the possible source of the outbreak were ongoing.
Information had been circulated advising GPs of the steps to be taken if patients report symptoms. Dr Gwen Lowe, Public Health Wales consultant in communicable disease control, said Legionnaires’ disease was a rare but potentially life-threatening illness.
‘Flu-like symptoms’
“Most cases are isolated but outbreaks can occur,” she said. “People become infected when they inhale bacteria spread through the air in the form of a fine mist or droplets from a contaminated water source. “The disease cannot be passed from person to person.”
Legionnaires’ disease begins with flu-like symptoms and can lead to pneumonia, usually in adults, she added. Anyone worried about their health should contact their GP. The councils involved in the investigation include Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Monmouthshire. The outbreak control team, which also includes representatives from Cwm Taf Health Board, Aneurin Bevan Health Board, and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Read original article posted by the BBC, 7th September 2010 here
Image courtesy of www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk
For more information from Thames Laboratories about Legionella Risk Assessments L8 and Legionella Control and Monitoring visit www.thameslabs.co.uk/legionella and subscribe to our RSS feed or subscribe to this blog by Email
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