WASHINGTON, Aug. 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alliance to Prevent
Legionnaires' Disease is issuing the following statement on the
recent cluster of Legionnaires' disease in Lincoln, New Hampshire this summer.
First, the Alliance wishes a speedy recovery to those
individuals who contracted Legionnaires' disease and trusts that
the true source of their infection is determined and
remediated.
We applaud the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) for notifying the public about the potential risk
of legionella exposure, the bacteria which causes
Legionnaires' disease. It is a critical step to ensure individuals,
especially those who are more susceptible to respiratory illness,
are vigilant in taking actions to reduce their risk and seeking
immediate medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.
However, we must caution the New Hampshire DHHS not to single
out the source until all possible vectors are investigated and
tested in order to reduce further risk to public health.
As the New Hampshire DHHS continues their investigation into
this recent cluster of Legionnaires' Disease cases in Lincoln, NH, the Alliance to Prevent
Legionnaires' Disease recommends the DHHS conduct a comprehensive
review of all potential sources of legionella.
As stated in the August
12th, 2024, press release from the New Hampshire
DHHS, legionella is a naturally occurring waterborne
bacteria "found in showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers,
misters and decorative fountains." But legionella originates
in source water and can be found in building water systems if not
properly treated and controlled during treatment and distribution.
If legionella is not controlled for in water treatment
plants, it can travel through distribution systems into homes,
buildings, hotels with water features and hot tubs to wastewater
sewage lagoons located near populated areas where the bacteria is
then transmitted through aerosolized droplets that are inhaled by
occupants.
While the source of the Legionella resulting in the
recent cluster in Lincoln remains
to be discovered, the Alliance encourages the inclusion of a robust
review of all sources of legionella bacteria in the
epidemiological study of this outbreak. It is critical that we
address and minimize Legionella bacteria at every point
throughout the water supply and distribution system, from
"source-to-tap" to truly reduce the chances of being infected with
the disease.
The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires'
Disease is a non-profit coalition of health advocates,
healthcare providers, building engineers, scientists, water
treatment experts and manufacturers. APLD works to educate
residents, building owners, policy makers, media representatives,
water system managers and professionals, and government officials
about the facts surrounding water quality, effective strategies for
addressing the root causes of Legionnaires,' and better protecting
public health. APLD's experts stand ready to assist
New Hampshire and the city of
Lincoln health officials to ensure
the proper source is identified and put processes in place to
effectively prevent Legionnaires' disease through proper management
and monitoring of the water system as a whole.
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SOURCE Prevent Legionnaires'