Jeongeup-si to Conduct Legionella Bacteria Inspections at Multi-use Facilities Until the 30th

Published 18 Aug.2023 10:15(KST)

The Jeonbuk Jeongeup City Public Health Center announced on the 18th that it will conduct Legionella bacteria inspections on multi-use facilities from the 21st to the 30th to prevent Legionellosis, which frequently occurs during the summer season.

Legionellosis, a third-class legally designated infectious disease, is caused by bacteria that proliferate in contaminated water from sources such as cooling tower water of large buildings, building hot and cold water systems, water supply facilities, bathhouses, hot springs, decorative fountains, swimming pools, and water play facilities. Infection occurs when these bacteria are inhaled through droplets into the respiratory tract, and generally, there is no person-to-person transmission.

Jeongeup City Hall. [Photo by Jeongeup City]

Anyone can be infected with Legionellosis, and clinically, Legionella pneumonia mainly occurs in patients with chronic diseases or immunocompromised individuals.

Symptoms include fever, chills, dry cough or cough with a small amount of sputum, muscle pain, and flu-like symptoms (Pontiac fever), which tend to occur in more than 90% of people without underlying diseases during outbreaks.

The Public Health Center will conduct Legionella bacteria inspections targeting facilities vulnerable to infectious diseases such as general hospitals, nursing hospitals, and elderly welfare facilities, as well as multi-use facilities including large bathhouses, jjimjilbangs, large shopping malls, hotels, and apartments. Based on the bacteria detection results, measures such as cleaning, disinfection, and re-inspection will be taken.

A Public Health Center official stated, “Legionella bacteria are widespread in warm and humid environments, so special caution is required during the hot and humid summer season like now,” and added, “Building managers should conduct regular inspections, cleaning, disinfection, and thorough environmental management such as controlling water temperature and residual disinfectant concentration in cooling towers, water tanks, and water supply facilities to prevent Legionellosis.”