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Source: The post is based on the article “Argentina’s mystery pneumonia outbreak finally identified as Legionellosis disease” published in Down To Earth on 6th September 2022
What is the News?
A mysterious pneumonia outbreak in Argentina has been identified as Legionellosis disease.
What is Legionellosis disease?
Legionellosis is a pneumonia-like illness that varies in severity from mild febrile illness to a serious and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia.
Caused by: The causative agents are Legionella bacteria from water or potting mix.
Symptoms: It includes fever, muscle and abdominal pain and shortness of breath.
Transmission: 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.
Vulnerable Group: 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 this disease always require antibiotic treatment following diagnosis.
Prevention: 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.
