Legionella E-news -- 13 January 2005
Legionella E-news, 13
January 2005
HC Information Resources Inc.
Matthew R. Freije, Editor
**IN THIS ISSUE**
1. Two LD Cases Among Residents of a NJ Apartment Building
2. Mycobacteria Infections from Whirlpool Foot Baths
3. Travel Associated LD in Europe, 2003
4. Legionellosis Increase in Italy, 2003
5. Mandatory Legionella Testing in Whirlpool Spas
6. Training Opportunities
7. Links to Recent Articles
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1. TWO LD CASES AMONG RESIDENTS OF A NJ APARTMENT BUILDING
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Two elderly residents of a high-rise apartment building in northern New
Jersey were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in recent months, an
elderly man in June and a 78-year-old woman with lung cancer in late
October. Both residents have recovered. In November, health officials
shut off the water to the building after finding Legionella in a water
heater. The 1,000 or so residents used bottled water until the systems
were disinfected. Source: The New York Times
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2. MYCOBACTERIA INFECTIONS FROM WHIRLPOOL FOOT BATHS
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The public health department in Santa Clara County (California) began
investigating severe skin infections associated with pedicures after
receiving reports from local doctors of patients with boils and skin
ulcers on their feet and lower legs. It was determined that the women
received pedicures prior to developing infections from mycobacteria,
indicating whirlpool footbaths were the source of contamination.
A spokeswoman for the state cosmetology board said that foot spas must
be drained and cleaned with an approved disinfectant between each
customer. At the end of each day the foot spa screen must be removed and
the basin cleaned with soap and water. The basin must be cleaned and
soaked in a bleach solution for at least 6 hours every two weeks. To
kill bacteria lodged in the jets, foot spas should also be run for 10
minutes with an approved disinfectant.
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3. TRAVEL ASSOCIATED LD IN EUROPE, 2003
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A total of 632 cases of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease with
onset in 2003 were reported to the European Working Group for Legionella
Infections surveillance scheme by 24 countries. Thirty-eight of the
cases resulted in death. Officials investigated 107 sites, 22 of which
were posted on the EWGLI website. The full report, published by
Eurosurveillance Monthly, is posted at http://www.eurosurveillance.org/em/v09n10/0910-223.asp.
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4. LEGIONELLOSIS INCREASE IN ITALY, 2003
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Based on an increase in healthcare-acquired and travel-related
legionellosis clusters, researchers concluded that Legionella preventive
measures are needed in hospitals and other buildings. Some deaths
occurred even in younger age groups. For the full report with data, go
to http://www.eurosurveillance.org and look for the December 2004 issue
in the archives.
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5. MANDATORY LEGIONELLA TESTING IN WHIRLPOOL SPAS
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The Health Protection Agency (UK) is calling for mandatory Legionella
testing in whirlpool spa pools, based on unsatisfactory test results in
88 spas and 27 cases of spa-related Legionnaires' disease in England in
2003. New guidance is being prepared by HPA in collaboration with the
Health and Safety Executive. Source: BBC
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6. TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
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Matt Freije is working on his seminar schedule for 2005. If you would
like to train your staff on Legionella and other waterborne pathogens,
or host a seminar in your city, please contact him at 760-494-3063 or
mf@hcinfo.com.
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7. LINKS TO RECENT ARTICLES
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Hint: For links that break onto a second line, paste the entire link
into your word processor to make sure there are no gaps, and then into
your browser. We apologize for the inconvenience.
"A Management Plan for Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens."
Occupational Hazards, August 2004, http://www.occupationalhazards.com/articles/12256
"Splish Splash: What's Taking a Bath in Your Hospital's Water System?"
Infection Control Today, August 2004, http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/481feat1.html
"WHO issues revised drinking water guidelines to help prevent
water-related outbreaks and disease." 21 Sept. 2004, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2004/pr67/en/
"Surveillance for Waterborne-Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking
Water --- United States, 2001-2002" http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5308a4.htm
"The Genomic Sequence of the Accidental Pathogen Legionella pneumophila."
Science 2004 305: 1966-1968. The full text is available to Science
subscribers at http://www.sciencemag.org. Nonsubscribers can get a
summary at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3677756.stm or http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ew/2004/3.
"Byproduct of Chlorine Alternative Found Highly Toxic." A severely toxic
byproduct of chloramines was discovered, raising questions about using
chloramines as an alternative to chlorine to treat drinking water.
http://www.wwdmag.com/WWD/index.cfm?fuseaction=showNewsItem&newsItemID=7770
"Scientists closer to understanding parasite." Researchers have decoded
the genome of the Cryptosporidium, which could lead to a vaccine or
treatment for Cryptosporidiosis.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/10086271.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
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THANK YOU!
Matt Freije
mf@hcinfo.com
--
HC Information Resources Inc.
Tel: 760-494-3063
Fax: 619-839-3166
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