By Matt Underwood One dead and at least 22 sick from Legionnaires’ disease cluster in New York City, that’s a really concerning situation, and it’s understandable that people are taking notice. It’s definitely not something you want to hear about, especially when you consider the potential severity of the illness. It makes you wonder what the source might be, and how it spread so rapidly. This is a reminder that our environment, even seemingly benign aspects of it, can pose health risks.
This whole situation underscores that Legionnaires’ disease isn’t necessarily isolated to a single building or specific AC unit. We’re talking about a cluster, meaning multiple cases are linked and happening in a localized area. It gives you a sense that the source might be more widespread than initially thought. And it’s not just a problem in New York; apparently, places like Las Vegas have their own challenges with this.
In Vegas, the conservation efforts, which are usually a good thing, can sometimes contribute to the problem. When water sits stagnant in storage tanks for extended periods, it provides an ideal environment for the bacteria to multiply. This highlights the importance of maintaining water quality and preventing stagnation, a crucial factor in controlling outbreaks. The pandemic actually saw a spike in Legionnaires’ cases, due to buildings being unoccupied, causing water to sit and become breeding grounds.
The experience with water effects underscores the difficulty in getting people to understand the importance of water treatment and how crucial it is for health and safety. It’s hard to imagine a client not accepting the need for clean water, especially when it directly impacts people’s health. The challenge in such situations shows just how difficult it can be to implement health and safety practices.
Considering the symptoms of Legionnaires’, people with flu-like symptoms should definitely seek medical attention as soon as possible. Now, the question of why people aren’t necessarily lining up to see doctors is a serious one. This is where the conversation about the importance of affordable and universal healthcare comes into play. During the pandemic, we saw that many people didn’t seek medical care because they simply couldn’t afford it. This has serious repercussions for public health.
The disease, you see, can spread through large AC systems that circulate air through multiple rooms and units. I can even recall an outbreak at a senior rehab facility, demonstrating how easily it can impact vulnerable populations. Legionnaires’ disease gets its name from an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in the 1970s. The hotel’s AC system, which was on the roof, was spraying the bacteria out, infecting people on the ground.
It is important to note that staff from the hotel may have built up some immunity without knowing it. Cooling towers, commonly found on rooftops, are a major source of the bacteria. So, those big fans you see on the roofs of city buildings? They can be a potential problem, along with drift. The water droplets released from these towers can carry the bacteria, making it airborne and easily inhaled.
That’s why you should always wet potting mix before handling it, to prevent those microscopic particles of the bacteria from getting airborne and into your lungs. Legionella bacteria thrive in warm water, between about 85 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that AC units, hot tubs, water heaters, pools, showers, and even toilets in warm buildings can all be potential breeding grounds.
We even had a case at a facility where it originated from a single CPAP machine. It shows just how localized an outbreak can be and how important it is to disinfect any equipment that comes into contact with water and is also used for breathing.
The bacteria can also be spread by any body of warm, but not too warm, water, including potable hot water systems if parts are stagnant. So, the advice to avoid drinking from the garden hose is something to heed! Anyone with a weakened immune system, like the elderly, are especially vulnerable.
Remember, all CPAP machines have labels reminding you to use distilled water only. Tap water contains bacteria, including Legionella. It’s the inhalation of the water vapors that causes the problem, not drinking it. Humidifiers at home can be a breeding ground as well.
The fact that a CPAP machine was the source in one instance, and that the patient wasn’t cleaning it properly, is telling. It highlights the need for education and adherence to proper hygiene practices to prevent such outbreaks. The assistant not checking, also shows how crucial it is to have constant oversight, particularly with medical equipment.