Swift response to Edinburgh legionella detection ensures no casualties

Post By: Shona Innes

A swift response to the detection of legionella - the bacteria that causes Legionnaire's disease - in Edinburgh has ensured that no casualties occurred.

Testing for legionella bacteria using devices such as the ETI Legionnaires' Thermometer Kit can save lives - as evidenced in a recent case in Edinburgh.

Visit the Frontline Safety website and view our instrumentation category to show more information on this product.

The Scotsman revealed that traces of the pathogen were found in the Scottish capital's Gogar tram depot in September last year.

Due to the swift detection and action, no one was reported to have fallen ill as a result of the bacteria's presence.

This was in stark contrast to a previous outbreak of Legionnaire's disease in the city, which saw more than 100 people treated, as well as three fatalities.

Legionella can thrive in stagnant water stored at between 20 degrees C and 40 degrees C, expert Allen Wilson told the newspaper.

With approximately 500 incidents reported each year in the UK, businesses have a responsibility to ensure the bacterium is not allowed to form on their premises.

"The closer [the water] is to body temperature, the more it grows. It also needs some way to be converted into an aerosol droplet like you would get from shower heads," Mr Wilson explained.

"Something like a common pressure cleaner, like you might find at a washing unit, could create these respirable droplets."

The bacteria found at the Gogar complex measured 20 colony-forming units (CFU) of legionella per litre of water - a fairly low level considering the threshold deemed to require a review of control measures alongside a risk assessment is 100 CFUs per litre.

Legionnaire's disease was given its name after its discovery at a convention of the American Legion in 1976 when numerous attendees were struck down by a mysterious outbreak of pneumonia.

Posted by Shona Innes