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What is Legionnaires' disease?

Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria causes infection. Everyone is potentially susceptible to infection but the following people are considered to be a higher risk:

		`Smokers`
		`People over the age of 45`
		`Heavy drinkers`
		`Those suffering with chronic respiratory or kidney disease`
		`Immunosuppressed people`
		`Diabetics`
		`Cancer patients`

Five facts about legionellosis:

`1.`	`Legionnaires' disease was first identified following a large outbreak of pneumonia among people attending an American Legion Convention in Philadelphia, 1976.`
`2.`	`The incubation period is between 2-10 days (usually 3-6 days).`
`3.`	`Infection with Legionella bacteria can be fatal in approximately 12% of reported cases.`
`4.`	`Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include high fever, chills, headaches, muscle pain and difficulty with breathing.`
`5.`	`To date approximately 40 species of the Legionella bacterium have been identified.`

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