Health-Care HVAC: Preventing Legionellosis PDF

Legionellosis is the condition of being infected by Legionella bacteria. Recent news has increased awareness about how important it is to prevent the hazard that causes legionellosis from harming people in health-care facilities.1 – 4 In October 2005, a $600 million class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of legionellosis victims at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged, a long-term health-care facility in Toronto. Infectious Legionella bacteria in the building killed 23 people. At least 135 people were infected: 70 residents, 39 staff members, 21 visitors and five people who lived or worked near the health-care facility. The hazard is believed to have been in aerosolized water droplets transmitted throughout the building by the ventilation and cooling systems.3