Legionella E-news -- 24 September 2001

Many thanks to those of you outside the USA who have sent e-mails expressing condolences for the victims of the attacks on NYC and DC, and support for our country. Americans, let's continue praying for those affected by the attacks and for the direction of our nation. -- mrf

**IN THIS ISSUE**

1. Outbreak in Norway, 17 cases, 2 deaths

2. Comparison of Biocides and Disinfection Methods

3. Two Legionella Prevention Training Courses Rescheduled

********************************************************************

1. OUTBREAK IN NORWAY, 17 CASES, 2 DEATHS

********************************************************************

As of 4 September 2001, 17 confirmed cases and 2 probable cases of Legionnaires' disease had been identified in an outbreak on the west coast of Norway, in the city of Stavanger. 2 of the 19 have died. The cases occurred in persons ranging from 30 to 94 years of age -- 16 men and 3 women. All the patients had visited a limited area of Stavanger within 10 days of onset of symptoms, which occurred 26 July in the first patient and 1 September in the latest patient. The investigation has focused on an outdoor decorative fountain and several cooling towers, but a source has not been implicated. Molecular subtyping is underway to compare environmental and clinical isolates. The fountain was shut down and the cooling towers have been disinfected. Source Eurosurveillance Weekly, 6 September  2001, as reported by Preben Aavitsland and Hans Blystad of the National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway, and Jens Holm of the Medical Health Office, Stavanger, Norway.

********************************************************************

2. COMPARISON OF BIOCIDES AND DISINFECTION METHODS

********************************************************************

Janet Stout, PhD has developed a comparison of biocides for cooling towers as well as a comparison of disinfection methods for potable water. The work is posted at http://www.legionella.org/biocides_research1.htm. Background information can be found in the following two papers:

- Walker JT, Mackerness CW, Mallon D, Makin T, Keevil CW,  Control of Legionella pneumophila in a hospital water system by chlorine dioxide. J Industrial Microbiol. 1998, 15(4):384-390.

- Gao Y, McCall EC, Stout JE, Vidic RD, Yu VL.  Monochloramine and chlorine dioxide as alternative methods for Legionella control.  American Water Works Assoc. Denver, CO 2000.

The Legionella Prevention Training Course includes a detailed discussion of various disinfection methods for potable water, including an analysis of case studies.

********************************************************************

3. TWO LEGIONELLA PREVENTION TRAINING COURSES RESCHEDULED

********************************************************************

The Legionella Prevention Training Course that was scheduled for 18-19 September 2001 in Baltimore was postponed because of the attacks on New York and Washington. The course has been rescheduled for 16-17 October. The San Diego course has been rescheduled for 28-29 November. The Atlanta course is still on schedule for 13-14 November. To register or get more information, telephone 1-800-801-8050 (1-760-494-3063 outside the USA and Canada), visit http://hcinfo.com/legionellaseminar.htm, or e-mail hcinfo@hcinfo.com.

********************************************************************

********************************************************************

For information on advertising in Legionella E-news or on our web site,

e-mail adinfo@hcinfo.com. You will receive an immediate auto-reply.

********************************************************************

********************************************************************

********************************************************************

Please mention Legionella E-news in listservs or on your web site. Sample announcement: "Legionella E-news is a free monthly e-newsletter that covers recent outbreaks, new publications, and new technology. "

********************************************************************

********************************************************************

(c) Copyright 2001, HC Information Resources Inc.

You have permission to send this newsletter to others, post it on your web site, or include it in listserv posts, under the strict condition that you include the following notice to properly credit the source: "Excerpted from Legionella E-news, a free e-newsletter available at http://hcinfo.com."

THANK YOU!

Matt Freije

HC Information Resources Inc.

http://hcinfo.com