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18 Feb. 2011 Could You Have Had an Undiagnosed Legionella Infection?

7 July 2010 Protect Yourself from Legionnaires' Disease

17 Dec. 2008 New Legionella Course Includes Hands-On Assessment Training

8 Aug. 2006 Johns Hopkins Bayview to Host Legionella Seminar

9 Nov. 2005 Training Course on Preventing Legionnaires' Disease

4 August 2005: New Course on Strategies for Preventing Legionnaires' Disease

3 March 2004: NSF to Hold Course on Waterborne Pathogens

21 January 2004: Recordings of Seminars on Waterborne Pathogens

13 August 2003: US Navy to Host Legionella Course in San Diego Nov. 5-6, 2003

25 June 2003: Legionella Course to be Offered in Dunkirk, Maryland Oct. 29-30, 2003

30 April 2003: Live Audio and Internet Courses on Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens

28 January 2003: New Legionella Training on Plumbing Systems and Cooling Towers

Could You Have Had an Undiagnosed Legionella Infection? Top (Click here to see this on NewsReleaseWire.)

SAN DIEGO, CA, February 18, 2011 -- The water-borne infections that struck guests of the Playboy Mansion are more common than you think.

According to the Los Angeles County Health Department, about 200 people who attended a recent Playboy Mansion fundraiser were infected by Legionella bacteria. Four of them came down with Legionnaires' disease, a sometimes deadly pneumonia; the rest had Pontiac fever, a flu-like illness that lasts about three days.

As many as 18,000 people in the United States contract Legionnaires' disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5% to 30% of whom die from it within a few days or weeks.

About 90% of Legionnaires' cases go undetected, in part because physicians treat the pneumonia but don’t test for Legionella bacteria.

“That’s a big problem,” says Matt Freije, author of Protect Yourself from Legionnaires' Disease: The waterborne illness that continues to kill and harm. “If Legionella is not recognized as the cause of the infection, then no investigation is performed to pinpoint and fix the plumbing system, hot tub, or other water system that caused it, and that water system can continue to make people sick.”

Pontiac fever is even less likely than Legionnaires' disease to be diagnosed because it is less severe. Most of us don’t even go to the doctor when we get the flu, let alone try to find out what caused it. Generally, Pontiac fever is recognized only when physicians in the same vicinity report several flu-like illnesses at the same time, attracting the attention of the health department, as with the Playboy event.

According to Freije. “Laws in much of Australia and Europe require building owners to maintain water systems to minimize Legionella bacteria but prevention is not mandated in the United States. I have received emails from many Legionnaires' survivors who were outraged to find out they suffered from a disease that is preventable.”

Steve Sederstrom is one of the Legionnaires' survivors who tells his story in Freije’s book. “My experience with Legionnaires' disease was the worst thing I have ever been through. After five months I still have a major problem with short-term memory—I forget where I am going, or forget people’s names even though I have known them for years. I am afraid that I will never get my memory back.”

Protect Yourself from Legionnaires' Disease Top

SAN DIEGO, CA, July 7, 2010 -- July marks 34 years since the infamous outbreak in Philadelphia that made 221 persons sick with what is now called Legionnaires' disease, and claimed 34 lives.

Up to now, books on Legionnaires' disease have been written for scientists, engineers, healthcare workers, water treatment specialists, facility managers, or other professionals whose work relates to the disease or the control of Legionella bacteria. The new book, _Protect Yourself from Legionnaires' Disease: The waterborne illness that continues to kill and harm_, is for a general audience.

Author Matt Freije gives important facts about Legionnaires' disease and explains how to avoid it in hospitals, office buildings, and hotels; at the dentist, in your job, and from hot tubs, decorative fountains, misters, cooling towers, whirlpool bathtubs, and even car windshield washers.

A chapter devoted to survivors' stories, told in their own words, will make you realize just how horrible the disease is, and that it can affect anyone.

Freije also gives advice on avoiding the disease at home--what to do before moving in, after returning from a vacation, with guest baths, after plumbing work, if your water becomes discolored, and in new home design and construction. Tips are given about water heaters, softeners, filters, and humidifiers.

The PDF version of the book is available for download now at www.hcinfo.com for $19.95. The softcover and electronic versions for various devices are due out later this year.

New Legionella Course Includes Hands-On Assessment Training Top

SAN DIEGO, CA, December 17, 2008 -- HC Info’s new three-day training course, “Performing High Quality Legionella Assessments,” will be held May 19-21 at the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort in Carlsbad, Calif. The course is for engineers, water treatment specialists, and industrial hygienists that want to provide Legionella assessment services for hospitals, hotels, or industrial facilities; and for public environmental health officials that investigate Legionnaires' disease.

The first two days will be in the ocean-view classroom, covering background facts, government and industry guidelines, risk reduction strategies, preventive measures for common sources of Legionella contamination, disinfection of plumbing systems, and water sampling. Steps in conducting Legionella assessments will be given in detail, including optimum scope of work, information to gather from the building operator, systems and devices to inspect, what to look for in each system, documentation, equipment needed, estimating the time required to conduct assessments, and pricing. Matt Freije, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, will be the primary instructor. Television investigative news stories on Legionnaires' disease and a documentary on its discovery will also be shown.

The third day will be hands-on training. Students will visit a hospital facility and actually see the steps taken in inspecting plumbing systems and cooling towers and collecting water samples.

The course is noncommercial--no products or services will be promoted.

Because of the site visit, the class size will be limited to approximately 15 students.

The tuition of $1195 includes a course manual, copy of Freije’s book, certificate, breakfast and lunch on the first two days, and transportation for the hospital site visit.

To register or get more information, visit www.hcinfo.com.

HC Info provides seminars, publications, consulting, training, and research related to Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. It does not manufacture or sell equipment or chemicals, so its recommendations are based strictly on scientific studies and experience, without bias. The company web site, www.hcinfo.com, is referenced and linked by government agencies, professional societies, and news media throughout the world for information on Legionnaires' disease and the control of waterborne pathogens.

Johns Hopkins Bayview to Host Legionella Seminar Top

August 8, 2006 -- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center will host the full day seminar “Legionella Control in Hospitals” on Friday, September 29th, at its Baltimore campus.

The course is for facility managers, safety officers, infection control coordinators, industrial hygienists, public health officials, plumbing technicians, and those that offer services related to water treatment, plumbing systems, cooling towers, or infection control.

Matt Freije, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, will be the instructor. He will cover overall risk reduction strategies and then discuss guidelines, preventive measures for plumbing systems and cooling towers, interpretation of water test results, and disinfection technology for plumbing systems. Television news clips on outbreaks and prevention will also be shown.

The course is noncommercial--no products or services will be promoted.

The tuition of $350 ($295 each for groups of three or more) includes a course manual, copy of Freije’s book, certificate, and 0.6 continuing education units.

Several seats are already reserved for Bayview. The remaining seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis. To register or get more information, go to www.hcinfo.com.

HC Information Resources Inc. provides publications, consulting, training, and expert testimony related to Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. It does not manufacture or sell equipment or chemicals, so its recommendations are based strictly on scientific studies and field experience, without bias. The company web site, www.hcinfo.com, is referenced and linked by government agencies, professional societies, and news media throughout the world for information on Legionnaires' disease and the control of waterborne pathogens.

Training Course on Preventing Legionnaires' Disease Top

SAN DIEGO, CA, November 9, 2005 -- HC Information Resources Inc. will hold the new course “Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens: Minimizing Risk in Building Water Systems” at the Chicago Hyatt Regency on April 27th.

The course is for facility managers, safety officers, infection control professionals, industrial hygienists, public health officials, plumbing inspectors, plumbing code officials, water treatment specialists, plumbing engineers and contractors, and those offering services related to Legionella.

Matt Freije will be the instructor. “The course objective is to arm the attendees with knowledge to reduce the health and legal risks associated with Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in hospitals, hotels, and other buildings,” says Freije.

Freije will provide background information and management strategies for several pathogens, and then discuss guidelines, preventive measures (e.g., for plumbing systems and cooling towers), legal issues, environmental sampling strategies, interpretation of test results, disinfection strategies, and a case study. Television news clips covering outbreaks and prevention will be shown.

The course is noncommercial--no products or services will be promoted.

The tuition of $445 includes a course manual, a copy of Freije’s book, a certificate, and 0.7 continuing education units.

To register or get more information, visit www.hcinfo.com.

New Course on Strategies for Preventing Legionnaires' Disease Top

Contact: Matt Freije
E-mail: mf@hcinfo.com

SAN DIEGO, CA, August 4, 2005 -- HC Information Resources Inc. will hold the new course “Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens: Minimizing Risk in Building Water Systems” at the Chicago Hyatt Regency on October 21st, the day after the 6th International Conference on Legionella.

Matt Freije, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, will be the instructor. “The course objective is to arm the attendees with knowledge to reduce the health and legal risk associated with Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in hospitals, hotels, and other buildings,” says Freije.

Freije will provide background information and management strategies for several pathogens, and then discuss guidelines, preventive measures for plumbing systems and cooling towers, other potential sources of contamination, legal issues, environmental sampling strategies, interpretation of test results, disinfection strategies, and a case study. Television news clips covering outbreaks and prevention will be shown.

The course is noncommercial--no products or services will be promoted.

The tuition of $445 includes a course manual, a copy of Freije’s book, a certificate, and 0.7 continuing education units.

To register or get more information, visit www.hcinfo.com.

NSF TO HOLD COURSE ON WATERBORNE PATHOGENS Top

Contact: Stan Hazan
Telephone: 734-769-5105
E-mail: hazan@nsf.org

(ANN ARBOR, MI USA, March 3, 2004) – NSF International will host a new course "Waterborne Pathogens: Minimizing Risk Associated with Building Water Systems" in conjunction with HC Information Resources Inc.

WHEN/WHERE: The course will be held May 18th and September 14th at NSF's headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan to discuss risk mitigation of waterborne disease and associated legal risk.

WHO: Environmental health directors, infection control directors, public health officials, facility managers, safety directors, water utility personnel, manufacturers, property managers, and water treatment specialists are encouraged to participate.

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, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, 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 against waterborne pathogens. Attendees will also see television news clips covering outbreaks and prevention.

The tuition of $445 includes a course manual, copy of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, certificate, and 0.6 CEUs.

HOW: To register or get more information, telephone NSF at 1-800-673-6275, or visit www.nsf.org/cphe.

NSF International, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, is the leading global provider of public health and safety risk management solutions in the areas of food, water, indoor air and the environment (www.nsf.org). NSF provides product certification and safety audits for the food and water industries. Other services include management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd. and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. Founded in 1944, NSF is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan and serves companies in 80 countries.

HC Information Resources Inc. provides publications, consulting, training, and litigation support related to Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. It has no affiliation with suppliers or manufacturers, so its recommendations are based strictly on scientific studies and field experience, without bias. The company web site, www.hcinfo.com, is referenced and linked by government agencies, professional societies, and news media throughout the world for information on Legionnaires' disease and the control of waterborne pathogens.

Recordings of Seminars on Waterborne Pathogens Top

SAN DIEGO, CA, January 21, 2004 -- Recordings of seven recent seminars conducted live on the Internet are now available from HC Information Resources Inc. Each seminar is a slide presentation, about 90 minutes in length, which can be played on a computer. The recordings contain both the audio and video.

"Waterborne Pathogens: Illness, Prevalence, and Risk Reduction Strategies," is taught by Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., an environmental science researcher and public health educator at the University of Arizona. Janet Stout, Ph.D., Director of the Special Pathogens Laboratory at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh (USA) and a research assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, teaches "Legionnaires' Disease: Update on Diagnosis, Treatment, Microbiology, Environmental Monitoring, and Disinfection."

The other five courses, taught by Matt Freije, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, are "Legionnaires' Disease: Guidelines, Litigation, and Risk Management," "Minimizing Conditions for Legionella and Other Bacteria in Plumbing Systems," "Reducing the Risk of Legionella in Cooling Towers," "How to Sample Water Systems for Legionella," and "Disinfecting Potable Water Systems."

The seminar recordings can be downloaded from hcinfo.com for US$159 each or purchased on a CD for $174 plus shipping. A CD with all seven seminars is available at the discounted price of $778, which includes (for a limited time) the book Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk at no extra charge.

For more information, go to www.hcinfo.com.

13 August 2003: US Navy to Host Legionella Course in San Diego Top

The Naval School of Health Sciences will host the Legionella Prevention Training Course at its San Diego facility November 5-6, 2003.

The course will include government and industry guidelines, legal issues, risk reduction strategies, preventive policies for domestic water systems, cooling towers, and other devices; sampling methodology, interpretation of water test results, outbreak response, domestic water disinfection methods, and case studies. Matt Freije, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, will be the instructor.

Attendees will also see videos of Legionnaires' news coverage, including a documentary about the Philadelphia outbreak in 1976 that led to the discovery of the disease.

The tuition of $575 ($495 for three or more) includes a course manual, copy of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, certificate, and 1.2 CEUs.

Seating is limited. To register or get more information, visit www.hcinfo.com.

25 June 2003: Legionella Course to be Offered in Dunkirk, Maryland Top

The Legionella Prevention Training Course will be offered October 29-30, 2003 in Dunkirk, Maryland. Matt Freije, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, will be the instructor.

Freije will cover government and industry guidelines, legal issues, risk reduction strategies, preventive policies for domestic water systems, cooling towers, and other devices; sampling methodology, interpretation of water test results, outbreak response, domestic water disinfection methods, and case studies.

Attendees will also see videos of Legionnaires' news coverage, including a documentary about the Philadelphia outbreak in 1976 that led to the discovery of the disease.

The tuition of $575 ($495 for three or more) includes a course manual, copy of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, certificate, and 1.2 CEUs.

Seating is limited. To register or get more information, visit www.hcinfo.com.

30 April 2003: Live Audio and Internet Courses on Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens Top

HC Information Resources Inc. has introduced seven new audio and Internet seminars on Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. These are live, interactive seminars that people worldwide can participate in from their homes or offices. Each course runs 60 to 90 minutes, including allotted time for questions and answers.

To participate in an audio seminar, you simply dial a telephone number (toll-free from the USA or Canada) and listen to the instructor's live presentation while following along in the manual you receive after registering for the course.

Web seminars are similar, except that you watch a live slide presentation on the Internet while listening to the instructor. Participants can ask questions, and the instructor can use a pointer, mark on a whiteboard, and poll the audience. No special equipment is required, just a telephone line and a computer with an Internet connection of 56k or faster.

"Waterborne Pathogens: Illness, Prevalence, and Risk Reduction Strategies," will be taught by Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., an environmental science researcher and public health educator at the University of Arizona. Janet Stout, Ph.D., Director of the Special Pathogens Laboratory at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh (USA) and a research assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, will give an overview of Legionnaires' disease in "Legionnaires' Disease: Update on Diagnosis, Treatment, Microbiology, Environmental Monitoring, Guidelines, and Disinfection."

The titles of the other five courses, taught by Matt Freije, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, are "Legionnaires' Disease: Guidelines, Litigation, and Risk Management," "Minimizing Conditions for Legionella and Other Bacteria in Domestic Water Systems," "Reducing the Risk of Legionella in Cooling Towers," "How to Sample Water Systems for Legionella," and "Disinfecting Potable Water Systems."

The cost of each course, audio or web, is US$159, which includes toll-free telephone audio service from the U.S. and most of Canada.

Participants located outside North America will be given a telephone number to dial at their own expense, or can arrange a seminar that utilizes Internet-audio rather than telephone-audio to eliminate long distance telephone expense.

Discounts may be available for corporations, hospital networks, public agencies, or professional societies that wish to arrange private training for their employees or members.

Courses are scheduled for June and September. For a list of dates and times and other information, visit www.hcinfo.com.

28 January 2003: New Legionella Training on Plumbing Systems and Cooling Towers Top

"Minimizing the Risk of Legionella in Plumbing Systems and Cooling Towers" is a new one-day seminar for facility managers, engineers, plumbing code officials, plumbing inspectors, maintenance personnel, and technicians. HC Information Resources Inc. offers the training in public seminars and also privately for industrial, health care, institutional, or corporate personnel.

Matt Freije, author of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, is the instructor.

The course includes brief facts about Legionnaires' disease and Legionella, an overview of government and industry guidelines, and detailed preventive measures for the design, operation, installation, and maintenance of plumbing systems and cooling towers. A comparison of plumbing system disinfection technologies is also given.

Each student receives a copy of the book Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, a course manual, and certificate. The course counts for 0.6 CEUs and 1.5 hours of professional development for AWT's CWT recertification.

No previous knowledge of Legionella is necessary. Says Melissa Freedman, a plumbing & HVAC engineer from Detroit who attended one of Freije's courses, "the speaker made it applicable and appropriate for all levels of experience. He didn't talk at a level over your head."

Michael Wenczkowski of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center said the "information was helpful in educating how to prevent colonies--especially in piping design with deadlegs."

For information on scheduled courses, hosting a course, or private training for your organization, visit www.hcinfo.com

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