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.
Where was the first case of Legionnaires disease?
The 1976 Legionnaires disease outbreak, occurring in the late summer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States was the first occasion in which a cluster of a particular type of pneumonia cases were determined to be caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacteria.
How did Legionnaires disease begin?
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.
What is another name for Legionnaires disease?
| Legionnaires’ disease | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Legionellosis, legion fever |
| Chest X-ray of a severe case of legionellosis upon admission to the emergency department. | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease, pulmonology |
| Symptoms | Cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle pains, headaches |
What hotel was the Legionnaires disease?
Cases of Legionnaires’ disease associated with an Albert Lea hotel are prompting state health officials to warn anyone who stayed at the hotel in late June to seek medical care promptly if they are ill.
What is the mortality rate for Legionnaires disease?
The mortality rate in patients with Legionnaires disease is 5-80%, depending on certain risk factors. The factors associated with high mortality rates include the following: Age (especially those younger than 1 y and elderly patients)
Can I get Legionnaires from my shower?
Legionella bacteria is dispersed in airborne water droplets, so the spray created by a shower is the perfect delivery mechanism. Anyone using a contaminated shower risks breathing in the bacteria and developing Legionnaires’ disease as the bug takes hold in the lungs.
Is Legionella present in all water?
Legionella are most commonly found in water, including groundwater, fresh and marine surface waters, and potable (treated) water.
