An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease associated with a display spa pool in retail premises, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom, July 2012.

Outbreak of Legionnaires' disease associated with a display whirlpool spa.

BACKGROUND Recognized outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease (LD) are rare; when they occur, they provide opportunities to understand the epidemiology of the illness and improve prevention strategies. We investigated a population-based outbreak. METHODS After the confirmation of LD in October 1996 in five people in neighbouring towns in southwest Virginia, active surveillance for additional cases...

Public health response to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, June 2012.

We report an outbreak comprising 50 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2012. In addition, there were 49 suspected cases. Epidemiological evidence suggests that a common outdoor airborne exposure occurred over south-west Edinburgh. This probably emanated from cooling towers in the north-east of the affected area, although not yet clearly linked by scientific ev...

Legionellosis Outbreak Associated With a Hotel Fountain

Background.  In August 2012, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified of acute respiratory illness, including 1 fatality, among a group of meeting attendees who stayed at a Chicago hotel during July 30-August 3, 2012. Suspecting Legionnaires' disease (LD), CDPH advised the hotel to close their swimming pool, spa, and decorative lobby fountain and began an investigation. Metho...

Consideration of prophylactic antibiotic therapy during an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.

TO THE EDITOR—Legionnaires’ disease is becoming a rapidly increasing public health problem in the United States, with the number of reported cases of legionellosis more than tripling since 2000 [1, 2]. Legionellosis, including Legionnaires’ disease, is typically caused by exposure to aerosolized water contaminated with high levels of Legionella bacteria. The incubation period for Legionnaires’ ...

Outbreak of legionnaires' disease in the United Kingdom. Vigilance must be eternal but balanced.