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October 4th, 2024

Middlesex-London Health Unit Updates Community on Status of Legionella Outbreak

The local outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease, declared by the Middlesex-London Health Unit in…

August 26th, 2024

Heat Warning Issued For The Region

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Heat Warning for London and Middlesex County…

August 12th, 2024

Middlesex-London Health Unit Continues Investigation Of Outbreak Of Legionnaires' Disease

Middlesex-London Health Unit is providing an update to the community on the ongoing outbreak of…

August 9th, 2024

Health Unit Confirms First Local Human Case Of West Nile Virus This Year

The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reporting the first locally-acquired human case of West Nile…

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Legionnaires' Disease

What is Legionnaires' disease? Legionnaires' disease (LEE-juh-nares) is caused by bacteria called Legionella. The disease got its name in 1976, when many people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from an outbreak of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. The bacteria were around before 1976, but are being reported more frequently in recent years as doctors may suspect Legionnaires’ disease any time someone has pneumonia.

 

 
  • Front of legionnaires fact sheet Legionnaires' Disease Fact Sheet (PDF)
    View, download and print the Legionnaires' Fact Sheet. In Canada, less than 100 cases are reported each year. This number may be higher because many infections are not diagnosed or reported. More illness is usually found in the summer and early fall, but it can happen any time of year.
  • Preventing Legionnaires' Disease At Home (PDF)
 

What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease?

Legionnaires' disease can have symptoms like many other kinds of pneumonia, so it can be hard to diagnose at first. Signs of the disease can include:

  • fever
  • chills
  • dry cough

Some people may also suffer from:

  • muscle aches
  • headaches

These symptoms usually begin two to ten days after coming in contact with the bacteria.

Pontiac Fever

A milder infection caused by the same type of Legionella bacteria is called Pontiac fever. The symptoms of Pontiac fever can last for 2 to 5 days and may also include:

  • fever,
  • headaches and
  • muscle aches;

however, there is no pneumonia. These symptoms usually begin five to 72 hours after coming in contact with the bacteria. Symptoms go away on their own without treatment and without causing further problems.

Pontiac fever and Legionnaires' disease may also be called "Legionellosis" (LEE-juh-nuh-low-sis) separately or together.

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Where do Legionella bacteria come from?

The Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. The bacteria grows best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems or parts of the air-conditioning systems of large buildings. They do not seem to grow in car or window air-conditioners.

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How is Legionnaires’ disease diagnosed?

Most people with Legionnaires’ disease will have pneumonia since the Legionella bacteria grow really well in the lungs. Pneumonia is confirmed either by chest x-ray or clinical diagnosis.
Several laboratory tests can be used to detect the Legionella bacteria within the body. The most commonly used laboratory test looks for Legionella bacteria in a urine sample. If a person has pneumonia and the urine test is positive, then the person is considered to have Legionnaires’ disease.
Additionally, finding Legionella bacteria from lung tissue, respiratory secretions or various other sites can confirm Legionnaires’ disease. Two blood specimens that show a specific increase in antibody levels when drawn shortly after illness and several weeks following recovery can also be used to confirm the diagnosis.

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Is Legionnaires’ disease serious? Can it be treated?

Legionnaires' disease can be very serious and can cause death in 5% to 30% of cases. Most cases can be treated successfully with medications that can kill the bacteria. Healthy people usually recover from infection.

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Am I at risk for Legionnaires’ disease?

Not everyone exposed to the Legionella bacteria will get sick. People most at risk of getting sick from the bacteria are:

  • the elderly (65 years of age or older)
  • people who are smokers 
  • individuals who have a chronic lung disease (like emphysema)
  • people who have weak immune systems from diseases like cancer, diabetes or kidney failure
  • people who take drugs to suppress (weaken) the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy) 

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How do I get Legionnaires' disease?

Legionnaires' disease happens when someone at risk breathes in a mist or vapour (small droplets of water in the air) that has been contaminated with the bacteria, for example, the steam from a whirlpool spa that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected.

The bacteria are NOT spread person to person.

Outbreaks are when two or more people become ill in the same place at about the same time, such as patients in hospitals. Hospital buildings have complex water systems, and many people in hospitals already have illnesses that increase their risk for Legionella infection.
Other outbreaks have been linked to aerosol sources in the community, or with cruise ships and hotels. The most likely sources are whirlpool spas, cooling towers (air-conditioning units from large buildings) and water used for drinking and bathing.

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What should I do if I think I have been exposed to Legionella bacteria?

  • Most people exposed to the bacteria do not get sick.
  •  A person diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in the workplace is not a threat to others who share office space or other common areas. If you believe your workplace was the source of your or someone else’s illness, call your local health department.

If you think you were exposed to the bacteria, talk to your doctor or local health department. Be sure to mention any travel in the last two weeks.

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Date of creation: December 29, 2012
Last modified on: August 12, 2024

References

1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Legionella (Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/about/index.html
2Heymann, D.L. (2015). Control of Communicable Diseases Manual (20th ed.) Washington, D.C.: American Public Health Association.
3Pickering, L. K. (Ed.) (2012). Legionella pneumophila Infections. In 2012 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (29th ed; pp. 461-462). Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
4Public Health Agency of Canada. (2011). Legionella pneumophila: Pathogen safety data sheet – infectious substances. Retrieved from
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/legionella-eng.php