The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has closed several offices in Atlanta due to a potentially deadly threat emerging amid the coronavirus pandemic: Legionnaires’ disease. In a statement issued to CNN on August 7, the Public Health Bureau confirmed that, “Legionella, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, is present in a cooling tower as well as in some water sources inside the buildings. Out of an abundance of caution “We have closed these buildings until successful remedy is completed.”
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has closed several offices in Atlanta due to a potentially deadly threat emerging amid the coronavirus pandemic: Legionnaire’s Disease. In a statement issued to CNN on August 7, the Public Health Bureau confirmed that, “Legionella, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, is present in a cooling tower, as well as in some water sources inside the buildings. Out of an abundance of caution, we have closed these buildings until successful remedy is completed. “
While Legionnaire’s disease is rarely spread from person to person, Legionella – contaminated water in the air – which normally comes from sanitary bathrooms, cooling towers, hot tubs, water tanks and ornamental water features – can cause outbreaks of the disease. , which often leads to pneumonia, and has a 1 in 10 death rate. However, the CDC states that most people who come into contact with legionella will not develop Legionnaire’s Disease, and that immunocompromised individuals, people over 50, current and former smokers, and those with other chronic health problems, including lung disease, diabetes, etc. organ defects, are most susceptible to adverse effects.
Leann Poston, MD, a physician with Invigor Medical, says that although complications of Legionnaire’s disease may include “respiratory failure from severe pneumonia, septic shock from widespread infection in the blood, and kidney failure,” for most individuals without underlying conditions, the disease will not become life-threatening. “Legionella can be treated with antibiotics,” Poston explains. “Most people will fully recover.”
Despite the evacuation of their Atlanta offices, the CDC was acutely aware of the potential for legionella growth during the pandemic. In May, the agency provided specific guidance for reopening buildings after coronavirus closure, noting that stagnant water in unconscious buildings could be the perfect breeding ground for legionella to grow. The agency specifically notes that hot water, if it stays still for a long period of time, can significantly cool down, and it sets in temperature zone which greatly promotes legionella growth – specifically 77 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Along with highlighting the potential for legionella growth in unused buildings, the CDC also issued specific guidelines to reduce the chance of this occurring. In addition to drawing up a water management plan prior to closing, the agency advises water heaters after long periods of non-use and installs one that stays full up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit; rinsing water systems; and cleaning and maintenance of hot tubs, cooling towers, sprinkler systems, and ornamental water features according to local authority for water treatment and manufacturer specifications. Poston, however, says workers, out of an abundance of caution, should wait 48 to 72 hours after a water system is sprayed to return to any building, and recommends that anyone returning earlier should wear an N95 mask if he does this. And for more ways with expert support to protect yourself amidst the coronavirus pandemic, check out these 50 essential COVID security tips that the CDC wants you to know.
While Legionnaires’ disease is rarely spread from person to person, legionella-contaminated water in the air – which normally comes from bathroom plumbing, cooling towers, hot tubs, water tanks and ornamental water features – can cause outbreaks of the disease, which often leads to pneumonia, and has a death rate of 1 in 10. However, the CDC states that most people who come in contact with legionella will not develop Legionnaires’ disease, and that immunocompromised individuals, people over 50, current as former smokers, and those with other chronic health problems, including lung disease, diabetes, or organ failure, are most susceptible to adverse effects.
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Leann Poston, MD, a physician with Invigor Medical, says that although complications of Legionnaires’ disease can include “respiratory failure from severe pneumonia, septic shock due to widespread infection in the blood, and kidney failure,” for most individuals without underlying conditions, the disease will not become life-threatening. “Legionella can be treated with antibiotics,” Poston explains. “Most people will fully recover.”
Despite the evacuation of their Atlanta offices, the CDC was acutely aware of the potential for legionella growth during the pandemic. In May, the agency provided specific guidance for reopening buildings after coronavirus closure, noting that stagnant water in unconscious buildings could be the perfect breeding ground for legionella to grow. The agency specifically notes that hot water, if it stays still for a long period of time, can significantly cool down, and it sets in temperature zone which greatly promotes legionella growth – specifically 77 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
RELATED: Sign up for our daily newsletter for more current information.
Along with highlighting the potential for legionella growth in unused buildings, the CDC also issued specific guidelines to reduce the chance of this occurring. In addition to drawing up a water management plan prior to closing, the agency advises water heaters after long periods of non-use and installs one that stays full up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit; rinsing water systems; and cleaning and maintenance of hot tubs, cooling towers, sprinkler systems, and ornamental water features according to local authority for water treatment and manufacturer specifications.
Poston, however, says workers, out of an abundance of caution, should wait 48 to 72 hours after a water system is sprayed to return to any building, and recommends that anyone returning earlier should wear an N95 mask if he does this. And for more ways with expert support to protect yourself amidst the coronavirus pandemic, check out these 50 essential COVID security tips that the CDC wants you to know.
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