Legionella
E-news -- 24 June 2004
Legionella E-news, 24 June
2004
HC Information Resources Inc.
Matthew R. Freije, Editor
Legionella E-news has more than 2,000 subscribers, from about 50
countries.
**IN THIS ISSUE**
1. Seven LD Cases at a Hospital in Spain
2. More Cases of LD at Philadelphia Nursing Home
3. Four LD cases in Australia
4. Diligent Maintenance of Whirlpool Spas is a Must
5. Special Discounts on Publications, for a Limited Time
6. NSF Course on Waterborne Pathogens in September
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1. SEVEN LD CASES AT A HOSPITAL IN SPAIN
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Seven persons in whom Legionnaires' disease has been confirmed are all
connected to a university hospital in Zaragoza, according to health
officials. Three are health care workers. The first case was detected on
10 June 2004, two other cases by 15 June, and four additional cases
since then. Three of the patients were in serious condition as of 18
June. The Public Health Department detected Legionella in two cooling
towers of the hospital, and is assessing 12 nearby towers. Surveillance
for new cases has been initiated. [Nothing was reported about
investigating the domestic water system.-MRF] Source: news media
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2. MORE CASES OF LD AT PHILADELPHIA NURSING HOME
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More cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported at a Philadelphia
area nursing home where an outbreak about two years ago affected at
least ten people and caused two deaths (see http://hcinfo.com/legionella_enews_020626.htm).
Two elderly residents and a 52-year-old housekeeping employee have
tested positive for Legionella. One of the residents, a 92-year-old
woman, has died. The nursing home reported plans to hyperchlorinate its
water supply and install a new system that will maintain a low level of
chlorine. Source: Associated Press
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3. FOUR LD CASES IN AUSTRALIA
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Three women, ages 64, 66, and 78, and a 69-year-old man, were admitted
to the hospital with symptoms of Legionnaires' disease in the northern
Victorian town of Cobram earlier this month. A Department of Human
Services spokesman said the most recent diagnosis was probably linked to
the earlier three. Health officials are investigating cooling towers in
the Cobram region. Source: AAP
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4. DILIGENT MAINTENANCE OF WHIRLPOOL SPAS IS A MUST
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In mid-February, a middle aged Swedish man contracted Legionnaires'
disease apparently while using his friend's whirlpool spa. His sputum
sample showed growth of Legionella bozemanii, the same species found in
the whirlpool. Blood tests of the owner of the whirlpool, who had been
suffering from a respiratory tract infection in spite of a two-month
course of penicillin, showed raised titres of antibodies to Legionella
bozemanii.
Very high amounts of Legionella bozemanii were detected in the whirlpool
water (3,600 cfu/ml), as well as high numbers of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and heterotrophic bacteria (> 30 000/ml), indicating that the whirlpool
had not been properly maintained. The owner of the whirlpool stated that
he had maintained the whirlpool in accordance with the manufacturer's
maintenance instructions, changed the water every two weeks, and
manually added chlorine for disinfection.
The whirlpool owner contacted people who had visited him previously and
had bathed in the whirlpool. He reported that about 40 people had
developed mild respiratory symptoms after their visit. It is likely that
the number of people contracting an infection with mild symptoms from
their private whirlpools is underestimated. Source: Eurosurveillance
Weekly
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5. SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ON PUBLICATIONS, FOR A LIMITED TIME
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To reduce inventory before our office relocation, we are offering deep
discounts on printed publications for a limited time. Go to https://www.keysecure.com/hcinfo.com/orderform-specials.htm
for the order form.
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6. NEW NSF COURSE ON WATERBORNE PATHOGENS IN SEPTEMBER
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NSF International will host the new course "Waterborne Pathogens:
Minimizing Risk Associated with Building Water Systems" on 14 September
2004 at NSF's headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA).
Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., an environmental science researcher and public
health educator at the University of Arizona, will begin the seminar
with an overview of several waterborne pathogens, discussing
microbiology, associated illnesses, exposure routes, prevention, water
treatment, and control.
Matt Freije will cover government regulations and industry guidelines
for Legionella, outlining risk reduction strategies for hospitals,
hotels, office buildings, and industrial facilities. Recommendations
will be given for implementing preventive measures and disinfection
methods, and for reducing legal risk. Attendees will also see television
news clips covering outbreaks and prevention.
The tuition of US$445 includes a course manual, copy of Legionellae
Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk,
certificate, and 0.6 CEUs.
To register or get more information, telephone NSF at 1-800-673-6275
(734-769-8010 outside the USA), or go to www.nsf.org/cphe or
www.hcinfo.com.
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THANK YOU!
Matt Freije
mf@hcinfo.com
--
HC Information Resources Inc.
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