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SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE FOCUS: LEGIONNAIRES’ AND PONTIAC FEVER The Australian Department of Health reports the highest number of notifications for Legionella infections is during autumn. It is important for workplaces to understand the risks posed and how these can be reduced. ...
LEGIONELLA Legionella bacteria, first identified in the mid-1970s, causes a range of disease which remains prevalent and is without vaccine. The mortality rate from Legionella infection is usually ranges between 5 to 10 per cent, yet worldwide it may be as high as 40 to 80 per cent in untreated immune-suppressed patients. Fortunately, early antibiotic treatment greatly improves the rate of survival. Legionella infections can cause serious respiratory illness ranging from a short flu-like condition (Pontiac Fever) to severe pneumonia (Legionnaires’ disease) or organ failure. Legionella bacteria naturally inhabit fresh water ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, underground and brackish water and is found in soil and mud. The Legionella bacteria thrives in domestic and commercial plant and machinery where there are warm, moist conditions. Legionella infections are most commonly linked to cooling towers, air conditioning units and garden soils.
| 18 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 2 May 2020
Around 400 cases of Legionella infections are reported to the Australian Department of Health annually. Western Australia comprises about 95 of those cases, with an approximate 80/20 split of Pontiac fever and Legionnaires’ disease respectively. In Western Australia, the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (the OSH Act), the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (the MSI Act), require the notification of Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella – an infectious group of bacteria Legionella pneumophila – the primary human infection of Legionella bacteria Legionnaires’ disease (Legionellosis) – a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila Pontiac fever (Legionella longbeachae) – a form of pneumonia with flu-like symptoms caused by Legionella
