Legionella
E-news -- 28 August 2003
Special
Note About Computer Viruses: I don't attach files to Legionella E-news,
so if you receive a message with an attachment, and it appears to be
from hcinfo@hcinfo.com, do not open the attachment. --mrf
**IN
THIS ISSUE**
1. 30 LD Cases and 3 Deaths in France
2. Five LD Cases and One Death Among Cruise Passengers
3. Lawsuit Filed Because of Legionnaires' Disease
4. New Legionella Testing Regulations in New Zealand
5. Report on Murcia Outbreak, the Largest Ever
6. US Navy to Host Legionella Course in San Diego in November
7. Audio and Internet Seminars Scheduled for September
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1. 30 LD CASES AND 3 DEATHS IN FRANCE
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Health authorities have reported 30 cases of Legionnaires' disease and 3
deaths in the southern French city of Montpellier. The last case was
reported on 10 August. Investigators have found legionellae in several
cooling towers in the center of Montpellier but have not identified the
precise source of the outbreak. Disinfection measures have been
implemented. Source: WHO
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2. FIVE LD CASES AND ONE DEATH AMONG CRUISE PASSENGERS
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On 26 August German health authorities reported five cases of
Legionnaires' disease among people who traveled on a cruise ship from
6-23 August 2003. One of them, a 69-year-old German man, has died. LD
was confirmed by urinary antigen in three of the patients and was
suspected in the other two. The ship visited Iceland, Greenland,
and northern parts of Great Britain and then returned to Germany.
The source of contamination has not been identified. Sources: Reuters;
Eurosurveillance Weekly, 28 August 2003
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3. LAWSUIT FILED BECAUSE OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE
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A 34-year-old police officer that contracted Legionnaires' disease has
filed a lawsuit against the owner and property manager of the office
building where he works in Camden, New Jersey, claiming he became ill
because the building was poorly maintained. The AP story on the lawsuit
is posted at http://kyw.com/Local%20News/local_story_239095332.html and
a story about the building investigation is at http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/6520534.htm.
Lawsuits related to Legionnaires' disease are common but seldom
publicized.
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4. NEW LEGIONELLA TESTING REGULATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND
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On 4 July 2003 the Building Industry Authority (New Zealand) announced
rules for more rigorous Legionella testing in cooling towers. The old
standard required monthly tests for total bacteria and semiannual tests
for Legionella in cooling tower water; the new rules will require
monthly testing for Legionella as well as total bacteria. Although the
new testing regime is required only for new commercial buildings, the
BIA is suggesting the monthly Legionella tests for all cooling towers.
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5. REPORT ON MURCIA OUTBREAK, THE LARGEST EVER
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An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that occurred in Murcia, Spain in
July 2001 involved more than 800 suspected cases, 449 of which were
confirmed, making it the largest outbreak of LD to date. A complete
report on the outbreak is now available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol9no8/03-0337.htm
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6. US NAVY TO HOST LEGIONELLA COURSE IN SAN DIEGO IN NOVEMBER
==================================================================
The Naval School of Health Sciences will host the Legionella Prevention
Training Course November 5-6, 2003, at its state-of-the-art training
facility in the heart of San Diego. The training center is less than
five miles from the airport, across the street from the famous San Diego
Zoo, and close to the harbor and beaches.
The
course will include government and industry guidelines, legal issues,
risk reduction strategies, preventive policies for domestic water
systems, cooling towers, and other devices; sampling methodology,
interpretation of water test results, outbreak response, domestic water
disinfection methods, and case studies. Attendees will also see videos
of CNN and CBS Legionnaires' news coverage, and a documentary about the
Philadelphia outbreak in 1976 that led to the discovery of the disease.
The
tuition of $575 ($495 for three or more) includes a course manual, copy
of Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing
Risk, certificate, and 1.2 CEUs.
Since
the course will be at a military site, names of registrants must be
submitted to security at least one week before the course. Anyone not on
the list will not be permitted through the gate, so advance registration
is a must. Seating is limited. To register or get more information, go
to http://www.hcinfo.com/legionella2daycourse.htm.
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7. AUDIO AND INTERNET SEMINARS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER
==================================================================
*
Waterborne Pathogens: Illness, Prevalence, and Risk Reduction Strategies
(Kelly Reynolds, MSPH, PhD)
* Legionnaires' Disease: Update on Diagnosis, Treatment, Microbiology,
Environmental Monitoring, and Disinfection (Janet Stout, PhD)
* Legionnaires' Disease: Guidelines, Litigation, and Risk Management
(Matt Freije)
* Minimizing Conditions for Legionella and Other Bacteria in Domestic
Water Systems (Matt Freije)
* Reducing the Risk of Legionella in Cooling Towers (Matt Freije)
* How to Sample Water Systems for Legionella (Matt Freije)
* Disinfecting Potable Water Systems (Matt Freije)
For
dates and times and other details, go to http://www.hcinfo.com/satellitecourseinfo.htm.
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THANK
YOU!
Matt
Freije, Editor
HC Information Resources Inc.
Tel: 760-494-3063
Fax: 619-839-3166
hcinfo@hcinfo.com
http://hcinfo.com
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