Cause of Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a waterborne disease. It is a form of pneumonia, an infection in the lungs. Warm standing water is the ideal growing environment for Legionella pneumophila, the culprit bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease. While the bacteria are present in the natural environment in low levels, the danger lies when high concentrations of the bacteria are found in the air-cooling and ventilation systems and water delivery systems of places like hotels, hospitals, convention centers, and cruise ships. The contaminated water spreads through a facility, exposing people to the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, which is a serious illness. The number of people who receive treatment in hospitals annually for this disease and even die from it is too high. Victims affected by this Legionnaires’ disease may be able to pursue a lawsuit against the negligent party and obtain compensation.
Legionnaires’ Disease and How It Spreads
Groups of people regularly gather in large buildings as well as on cruise ships. In these settings, they are often confined to areas without fresh air. The circulated and recirculated air is blown through the vents of air conditioning and ventilation systems. The vapors from contaminated water that sits in those pipes, ducts, and cooling tanks are then breathed in by anyone in the vicinity. When this occurs, there is the possibility of an Legionnaires disease contamination. In another example, the contaminated water in pipes of buildings like hotels, grocery stores and hospitals is distributed to bathroom shower heads, hot tubs, water fountains, and water misters that spray produce to keep it fresh. The vapors and mist that occur around these items carry the bacteria that staff, patients, guests, and customers breathe in and then become sick. Not everyone exposed to the bacteria gets the disease. People don’t spread the disease to each other. An individual always contracts it through his or her contact with contaminated water. In almost all cases, it is by inhalation of contaminated water vapor or mist, but it is possible for wounds to become infected after contact with contaminated water.