Hygiena 2016, 61(1):36-39 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1425

Collaboration of an Epidemiologist and a Municipal Public Health Officer in an Epidemiological and Environmental Investigation of Legionellosis

Helena Šebáková, Radim Mudra, Irena Martinková, Marie Fiedorová, Danuše Hanslíková

Krajská hygienická stanice Moravskoslezského kraje se sídlem v Ostravě, Ostrava

Described is a case of legionellosis in an elderly male, that began with flu symptoms with consequent deterioration and hospitalization progressing to the IC unit. Only then was legionellosis diagnosed. Epidemiological investigations were focused on tap water in the patient's flat; samples taken confirmed the suspicion. Isolates from drinking water as well as warm tap water contained Legionella pneumophila organisms at 10²-10³ CFU/100 ml. The unequivocal cause of water contamination was the insufficient heating of the water in the unregulated hot water meins system. An effective remedy was thermal disinfection of the water mains system in the building and chemical disinfection with the aid of an installed generator of chlorine dioxide.

Keywords: legionellosis, epidemiological study, public health surveillance

Received: January 2016; Accepted: January 20, 2016; Published: March 1, 2016  Show citation