ABOUT
Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Certain people are at increased risk for this infection. Legionnaires' disease is treatable with antibiotics. People can get Legionnaires' disease by breathing in mist containing Legionella bacteria. In general, it isn't spread person to person. Know if you’re at risk of Legionnaires’ disease and talk to your healthcare provider if you're concerned.
Legionella most commonly causes one of two diseases:
- Legionnaires' disease is a type of severe pneumonia
- Pontiac feveris mild illness that can include fever, muscle aches, and headaches
- Rarely, Legionella can cause infections outside of the lungs, such as heart or wound infections (extrapulmonary legionellosis).
SYMPTOMS
Legionnaires' disease symptoms usually develop 2 to 14 days after exposure to Legionella bacteria, but it can take longer. Symptoms include: cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath Other symptoms, such as confusion, diarrhea, or nausea can also occur. See the CDC's page on risk factors for Legionella for more information.
At risk populations include:
- Current or former smokers
- People 50 years or older
- People with specific health issues or conditions
- Cancer
- Chronic lung disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Weak immune system
TRANSMISSION
Water systems and devices can spread Legionella to people. The most common way for someone to get sick is by breathing in mist containing Legionella. In general, people don't spread Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever to other people. Legionella bacteria can get into water systems and devices.
The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems. Sources of infection include showerheads and sink faucets, hot tubs, decorative fountains and water features, large complex plumbing systems, and cooling towers. Cooling towers are structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air-cooling systems for buildings or industrial processes. For more information on transmission please visit the CDC's website on how legionella spreads.
COMMUNITY
- CDC Information: Legionellosis
- Toolkit for Controlling Legionella in Common Sources of Exposure
- Legionnaires' Disease Prevention: Making a Splash with Safe Water
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
- Report within 1 week to local health department.
- Fact Sheet
- Reference Labs Performing Legionella Testing
- What Clinicians Need to Know about Legionnaires' Disease
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
- Surveillance Protocol
- Legionella Outbreak Manual
- Case Definition
- WVEDSS
- Case Report Form
- CDC Resources
- Prevent LD Training
Reportable Disease Rule
Per the West Virginia Reportable Infectious Diseases (WV Code 16-3-1; 64CSR7), Legionella is required to be reported by laboratories within 1 week to the local health department. Facilities are required to report Legionella within 1 week to the local health department.
