Contamination by legionella bacteria poses a grave risk to the public. So it is especially worrying that there continue to be cases of Legionnaires’ Disease attributed to the bacteria occurring in publicly-owned premises.
One recent case has seen a man in his seventies contract the life-threatening disease after receiving outpatient care from an NHS facility in the South-West of the UK. After exhibiting consistent symptoms and testing positive, legal teams have been tasked with investigating the incident and making a judgement on whether previous such incidences at the same or similar facilities can be the result of systemic neglect of water hygiene practices.
The individual, in this case, was already receiving treatment for an existing condition, making them vulnerable to infection by legionella. The bacteria, which lives in water droplets that can be inhaled, causes pneumonia symptoms in those affected, with far greater severity in those with chronic illness, smokers, the elderly and the immuno-compromised. Contamination in hospitals and other care facilities is, therefore, a serious risk to public health and requires strict protocols to ensure that water outlets are regularly tested, monitored and cleansed.
The lawyers investigating this latest incidence of the disease have already been tasked with looking into other outbreaks in the UK, at facilities such as leisure centres, health spas and other public buildings.
Any negligence in these cases will always be attributed to the duty holder, who ensures that the building meets industry-standard water hygiene guidelines and that staff are properly equipped to maintain these standards.
Legionella can have serious consequences and must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Prevention, by means of pool cleansing and water system flushing, is the only way to reduce incidences and fulfil the responsibility of safety that the duty holder has for the general public.
