What was the first case of Legionnaires disease?
What was the first case of Legionnaires disease?
Legionella was discovered after an outbreak in 1976 among people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion. Those who were affected suffered from a type of pneumonia that eventually became known as Legionnaires’ disease.
Where did Legionnaires disease begin?
Legionnaires’ disease acquired its name in July 1976, when an outbreak of pneumonia occurred among people attending a convention of the American Legion at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. Of the 182 reported cases, mostly men, 29 died.
What bacteria causes Legionnaires disease?
Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called Pontiac fever.
What was Legionnaires disease found to be caused by?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It’s caused by a bacterium known as legionella. Most people catch Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil.
Who discovered Legionnaires disease?
These bacteria were determined to be the etiologic organism of Legionnaires’ disease and were eventually named Legionella (for the Legionnaires) pneumophila (Greek pneumon [lung] + philos [loving]) (Figure 2). Joseph McDade, CDC scientist who discovered the cause of Legionnaires’ disease.
How did Legionnaires spread?
How It Spreads. After Legionella grows and multiplies in a building water system, water containing Legionella can spread in droplets small enough for people to breathe in. People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria.
Where is Legionella most likely to be found?
The bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but usually in low numbers. They may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools.
Where is Legionnaires disease most common?
Worldwide, waterborne Legionella pneumophila is the most common cause of cases including outbreaks. Legionella pneumophila and related species are commonly found in lakes, rivers, creeks, hot springs and other bodies of water.
Why is Legionnaires disease increasing?
“Recent weather trends including rain, flooding and warmer weather may be playing a role in the rise of reported legionellosis cases this summer,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health.
Where do most cases of Legionnaires occur?
What is the cause of Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionellosis (LEE-juh-nuh-low-sis) is a respiratory disease caused by Legionella bacteria. Sometimes the bacteria cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease. The bacteria can also cause a less serious infection called Pontiac fever that has symptoms similar to a mild case of the flu.
What is Legionella bacteria?
Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease.
How long is the incubation period for Legionnaires disease?
The disease is named after the outbreak where it was first identified, at a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia. The length of time between exposure to the bacteria and the appearance of symptoms ( incubation period) is generally 2–10 days, but can more rarely extend to as long as 20 days.
What is leglegionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella.
