“Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection that can be serious and fatal.”, explains doctor Guy-René Boyer, pulmonologist at the Arnault Tzanck hospital in Mougins.
It primarily affects vulnerable people. “Patients who have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, for example, or cancer”, continues Guy-René Boyer.
The mortality rate linked to legionellosis in France is approximately 15%.
Droplet transmission
Lung infection discovered in 1976, it is transmitted by inhalation of contaminated water.
“The water drops must be small enough to penetrate the lungs”, explains Doctor Guy-René Boyer.
How do these bacteria grow? In stagnant water, answer the experts, in particular by a temperature between 25 and 45 ° C or by the presence of nutrients.
Disease must be declared
“Symptoms are those of fever, chills, cough and difficulty breathingexplains Doctor Boyer. Sometimes there may also be digestive upset and confusion.“
The disease can be treated by taking antibiotics.
Symptoms appear 2 to 10 days after infection. “The doctor then has the obligation to declare the disease to the Regional Health Agency (ARS)”, continues Guy-René Boyer.
An investigation can then be launched to determine the source of the bacteria and prevent its proliferation.
Manager’s responsibility
In the case of contamination in the building, a water analysis must be carried out in the laboratory, explains an ARS leaflet.
It is up to the network manager to take the necessary measures.
These include prohibiting the use of showers in infected facilities, carrying out disinfection, warning users, investigating the cause of the infection and planning the work to be carried out.
Prevent infections at home
According to the Ministry of Health, everyone can act at home.
The Institutions advise to “run cold and hot water at least once a week at water points that are little used and, after each period of prolonged absence, for all water points before using them again ( especially the shower)“.
The hot water, specifies the site, should not be boiling but very hot. “At least 50°C and at most 60°C at the kitchen sink“, explains the ministry.
To avoid contamination, he also advises to “regularly descale and disinfect faucet nozzles (aerators, shower heads, etc.)” and to use sterile water for biomedical devices, in particular oxygen therapy or sleep apnea devices.