Legionnaires' disease guidelines finalised at Malta meeting

European guidelines for the control or prevention of travel associated Legionnaires' disease were finalised at the 17th annual meeting of the European Working Group for Legionella Infections held in Malta recently.

Eighty-six participants including experts in the various fields relating to Legionnaires' disease from Europe, including Malta attended the meeting.

Legionnaire's disease is an infection caused by a bacterium known as Legionella. Though the infection can occur without any symptoms it can cause a severe infection of the lungs and has a high fatality rate.

High risk areas which support growth of these bacteria include hot and cold water systems, shower-heads and taps of bathrooms, spas, whirlpools, Turkish baths and saunas, ornamental fountains, air-conditioner systems using wet cooling towers and humidifiers.

It is therefore vital that owners of hotels and other establishments possess knowledge of situations that constitute a risk to Legionella transmission.

The Department of Public Health published a code of practice for the prevention of Legionnaire's disease in hotels and other establishments. The code of practice suggests ways to minimise the risk as far as possible.

Until the European guidelines become effective, the code of practice will continue to be recommended.