Do you know Legionella fact from fiction? There are countless misunderstandings about this particular bacteria, so allow us to debunk some urban myths.
Myth: All Legionella bacteria is dangerous to humans
To date, there are 58 different strains of Legionella bacteria, but fewer than half of them can cause illness in humans. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 is the specific strain which causes the most infections.
Myth: You can't be infected by drinking water
Myth: Only old people are susceptible to Legionnaires' disease
Myth: You can catch Legionnaires’ disease by someone infected sneezing
No, it is not contagious so it cannot be passed from person to person. The only way to contract Legionnaires’ Disease is by inhaling contaminated water droplets.
Myth: Legionnaires’ Disease is a big killer
Thankfully, it is not a big killer and can easily be treated in the majority of cases, if diagnosed early enough. However, the amount of cases of this disease in the United States are consistently rising, and it does become harder to treat if left undiagnosed. The best way to prevent Legionnaires’ is from the source itself: contaminated water.
IWC specializes in Legionella risk management and programs that improve the safety of your facility building water system. Contact IWC to find out more about our Legionella Risk Assessments and how we can help your facility comply with national, state, and local laws and guidelines.