Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia characterized by shortness of breath, severe chest pains, and gastrointestinal issues. If there are signs of such an outbreak at your facility, preserve everyone’s health and safety by taking immediate action. Here are some signs you need a Legionella outbreak response team.
1. Unexplained Respiratory Illness
Do you have a healthy group of people around who seem to have suddenly contracted unexplained respiratory illnesses? This can often be linked to Legionnaires’ disease. Before more people begin to experience severe chest pain and gastrointestinal issues, have a Legionella outbreak response team take action.
2. Multiple Cases
One case of Legionnaires’ disease may be an isolated incident contracted somewhere else. However, if you start seeing two or more cases pop up, it’s a sign that you may have a Legionella outbreak in your facility. These cases will likely continue to multiply unless you have proper intervention.
3. Results From Water Testing
You won’t get Legionnaires’ disease simply from drinking a glass of water. However, water does play a role in spreading the condition. According to the CDC, people can get this disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain Legionella. It’s also possible to get sick if, for some reason, droplets of Legionella bacteria-contaminated water get into your lungs when you’re drinking. If you suspect the presence of these bacteria, test your water system to prevent such incidents from occurring.
4. History
Has your particular facility or neighborhood ever experienced a Legionella outbreak? Has such an outbreak happened in the last few years? In other words, if there is a history of this disease, don’t stand idly by waiting for another outbreak. Stay ready if another outbreak occurs by having a response team ready to go when you need them.
Legionnaires’ disease can strike at any time, so it’s important to be prepared by having the appropriate response team ready. Respiratory illness is important to handle quickly, as it could always worsen and affect someone’s quality of life. A Legionella outbreak can be stopped, as long as you catch it in time.
