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Legionellosis Disease

  • 08 Sep 2022
  • 2 min read

Why in News?

Recently, a mysterious pneumonia outbreak in Argentina has been identified as Legionellosis.

What is Legionellosis?

  • About:
    • Legionellosis is a pneumonia-like illness that varies in severity from mild febrile illness to a serious and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia.
    • The causative agents are Legionella bacteria from water or potting mix.
  • Symptoms:
    • It included fever, muscle and abdominal pain and shortness of breath.
  • Spread:
    • The disease typically spreads via inhalation of contaminated aerosols from contaminated water, which could come from — air conditioning cooling towers, evaporative condensers associated with air conditioning and industrial cooling, hot and cold-water systems, humidifiers and whirlpool spas.
  • Risk Population:
    • The people who have comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, respiratory problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or those who follow poor habits like smoking are more prone to the condition.
  • Treatment:
    • Treatments exist, but there is no vaccine currently available for Legionnaires’ disease.
    • Patients with Legionnaires’ disease always require antibiotic treatment following diagnosis.
    • The public health threat posed by legionellosis can be addressed by implementing water safety plans by authorities responsible for building safety or water system safety.

Source: DTE

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