Legion ella

Water Safety (Legionella)

The Memphis VA Medical Center is committed to the safety of all Veterans, employees,
volunteers, and visitors. Water quality at the Memphis VA Medical Center is regularly tested
according to OSHA and VHA policy. On Monday, August 17, 2015, results of that routine
testing identified the cooling tower for the SCI building as having higher than acceptable levels
of Legionella bacteria that can cause Legionella pneumonia. The water in the SCI cooling tower
is separate from the air cooling system. When the testing results became available, the SCI
cooling tower was immediately shut down and treatment of the water in that cooler has been
initiated. No cases ofhealthcare-associated "Legionella Disease" have occurred at our medical
center.
Most natural water sources contain some level of Legionella and the bacteria grow best in warm
water. People cannot acquire Legionella pneumonia just by drinking the water. To become
infected, they must breathe in mist or vapors containing the bacteria. Legionella is not
transmitted from person to person.
The following information is provided to answer questions you may have regarding Legionella.

About Legionella and Legione/la pneumonia

What is Legionella?
Legionella is a bacterium found naturally in the environment. Scientists have identified more
than 34 species of Legionella; 20 of which are linked to human diseases. Legionella
pneumophila is the primary human pathogenic bacterium in this group and the cause of
Legionella pneumonia.
Why is it in the water?
Almost all natural water sources have Legionella, and it grows best in warm stagnant water.
How common is Legionella pneumonia?
Up to 18,000 hospitalized cases occur in the United States each year. However, many cases go
unreported because this disease can be mild and treated as an out-patient or because it is difficult
to distinguish from other forms of pneumonia.
How does Legionella lead to Legionella pneumonia?
Most healthy individuals do not become infected after exposure to Legionella, and Legionella
pneumonia is not transmitted from person to person. Some people can fall ill after breathing in
water contaminated with the bacteria. Those at higher risk of getting sick are:
Older people (50 years or older)
Current or former smokers
Someone with chronic lung disease (such as COPD or emphysema)
Someone with a weak immune system

Can I get Legionella pneumonia from drinking the tap water?

Generally speaking, a person cannot get Legionella pneumonia just by drinking water. To be
infected, they must breathe in mist or vapors containing the bacteria in the water.
What are the symptoms of Legionella pneumonia?

Symptoms of Legionella pneumonia are similar to symptoms associated with other forms of
pneumonia and can include a cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches and
headaches.
How is it confirmed that someone has Legionella pneumonia?
If a patient is diagnosed with pneumonia, a urinary antigen test is conducted and/or a sputum
sample is collected to check for Legionella pneumonia. A urinary antigen test is simple, quick
and detects infection with Legionella pneumonia in most instances. The urine antigen test will
not be positive in asymptomatic people. It is only diagnostic if the person has pneumonia.
How is Legionella pneumonia treated?
Most cases of Legionella pneumonia are successfully treated with common antibiotics.
What is being done now to prevent Legionella from growing in the water?
The water in our hospital is tested, cleaned and disinfected routinely. To prevent Legionella
growth, chlorine levels as well as water temperature are regularly monitored. We heat our water
to a minimum of 130F to kill and suppress the growth of Legionella. Hot water circulates in the
distribution system to maintain a minimum temperature. If a high level of Legionella bacteria is
detected anywhere in our water system, the water is "shocked" with chemicals that kill the
bacteria, then flushed clean and confirmed Legionella-free before turning the water back on.
Does flushing the water help reduce Legionella?
Flushing the water helps remove stagnant water and adds new water into the distribution system.
As water sits in a water line for a period of time the chlorine level will dissipate. Adding new
water into the distribution system replenishes the chlorine levels to a level that suppresses the
growth of Legionella inside the water system.
Is the Memphis VA the only medical facility with Legionella in the water?
No. VHA Medical faciiities across the country ar~ currently monitoring, finding and treating
Legionella in their water systems.
As an employee, what should I do if think I am ill due to the Legionella in our water.
Notify your supervisor and contact Occupational Health or your primary care provider.
What do I do if a member of the media approaches me to ask me about Legionella?
We are directing all media inquiries to our Public Affairs Officer, Willie Logan at ext. 7393.
If I still have questions about Legionella, where can I get more information?
Please do not hesitate to discuss this matter with your VA provider or with the Industrial
Hygienist, Sonya Stokes-Sumrall at ext. 5006.

Additional Resource:
Center for Disease Control (CDC) LegioneHa Inf01mation

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