FROM THE DESK OF RANDALL A. KROCKA
SMOHIT Administrator
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. (A milder flu-like form of the disease is called Pontiac fever. The two illnesses are also referred to as legionellosis.) Death can occur in 5-30 percent of Legionnaires' disease cases.

Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. These bacteria grow best in warm water. People can contract Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist containing the bacteria. The bacteria are not spread person-to-person.

A recent outbreak in New York City has been the cause of 10 deaths and 46 new cases. The key to preventing legionellosis is maintenance of the water systems in which Legionella grow, including drinking water systems, hot tubs, decorative fountains, and cooling towers. There are no vaccines that can prevent legionellosis at this time.

Read more about the disease, symptoms, treatment and prevention by visiting the Legionella page on the CDC website.