Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/14592
Title: Barriers to Effective Legionella Control in a Changing World - A Practitioners View
Authors: Routledge, EJ
Peter, A
Thompson, C
Keywords: Legionella risk factors;Legionella control;WHO guidelines on Legionella control;ECDC guidelines for Legionella control;HSE ACOP L8 2013HSG Part2;Legionella detection;community-acquired pneumonia;ageing population;climate change
Issue Date: 2017
Citation: Environmental Technology Reviews
Abstract: Inhalation of aerosols containing Legionella pneumophila, a water-borne bacteria commonly found in natural and manmade water systems, is the main causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease (LD). Approximately 10-15% of all reported cases of LD result in fatality, with susceptibility to the disease being higher in immunosuppressed patients, men over 45 years of age, alcoholics, smokers and individuals with underlying diseases. The World Health Organisation (WHO), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and The United Kingdom (UK) Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have implemented a strict code of practice and guidelines to minimise the risk of the public from contracting Legionnaires’ disease. This paper provides a critical review of these three published guidelines. Evidence suggests that current detection methods for Legionella, by culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) show large disparities in the detection and quantification of bacteria in water samples, raising concerns about the reliability of measures needed to safeguard public health. Moreover, a survey of twenty residential building complexes in different London boroughs highlights the need for a review of remedial action recommendations and a more inclusive risk assessment strategy that protects ‘at risk’ people in society.
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/14592
Appears in Collections:Dept of Life Sciences Embargoed Research Papers

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