Legionella
E-news -- 26 February 2004
Legionella E-news, 26
February 2004
HC Information Resources Inc.
Matthew R. Freije, Editor
**IN THIS ISSUE**
1. Update on France Outbreak
2. Legionnaires' Lawsuit Settled for Millions
3. Manslaughter Charges Filed Over Outbreak
4. Two Cases, One Death, Blamed on Cyprus Hotel
5. Maryland Hotel Guests Contract Legionnaires'
6. Legionella E-news Archives Updated
7. New NSF Course on Waterborne Pathogens
8. Seminar Recordings Now Available
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1. UPDATE ON FRANCE OUTBREAK
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The number of cases and deaths associated with the outbreak in Lens
(northern France) has risen since reported in last month's Legionella
E-news. The outbreak has affected 85 people since November 2003, 13
(15%) of whom have died. Health officials declared the outbreak over as
of 22 January. The French government shut down a petrochemical factory
after tests revealed that the strain of Legionella found in the plant's
cooling tower matched the strain found in some of the victims. [However,
the data reported appears insufficient to implicate a source in this
outbreak. - mrf]
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2. LEGIONNAIRES' LAWSUIT SETTLED FOR MILLIONS
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A multi-million dollar settlement has been reached in a class action
suit brought on behalf of 144 people who were affected by the April 2000
Legionnaires' outbreak that was blamed on cooling towers at the
Melbourne Aquarium, in Australia. The defendants included the aquarium's
owner, builder, architect, engineer, and contractors. Source: AAP
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3. MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES FILED OVER OUTBREAK
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On 10 February a British council official was charged with manslaughter
in connection with the 2002 Legionnaires' outbreak that occurred in
Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. A design services manager for Barrow borough
council was also charged with breaching health and safety regulations.
The charges are the culmination of a criminal investigation that had
been under way since the outbreak. The outbreak involved 170 cases and
seven deaths, making it Britain's worst ever. Source: BBC News
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4. TWO CASES, ONE DEATH, BLAMED ON CYPRUS HOTEL
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Two British men between 50 and 59 years of age contracted Legionnaires'
disease after staying in a hotel in northern Cyprus from 21 December
2003 to 3 January 2004. One has died. A case of Legionnaires' disease in
August 2003 was associated with this same hotel. The European
Surveillance Scheme for Travel Associated Legionnaires' Disease (EWGLINET)
is handling the environmental investigation and control measures at the
hotel.
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5. MARYLAND HOTEL GUESTS CONTRACT LEGIONNAIRES'
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Four people who stayed at an Ocean City, Maryland hotel in the last five
months have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, according to
county health officials. Although initial tests of the hotel water
system were negative for Legionella, the health department has found no
other link among the four people besides their hotel stays. All got sick
within about a week of staying at the hotel. More water testing is under
way. Source: AP
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6. LEGIONELLA E-NEWS ARCHIVES UPDATED
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To see previous issues of Legionella E-news, go to http://www.hcinfo.com/legionella_enews_archives.htm.
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7. New NSF Course on Waterborne Pathogens
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NSF International will host the new course "Waterborne Pathogens:
Minimizing Risk Associated with Building Water Systems" in conjunction
with HC Information Resources Inc. The course will be held May 18th and
September 14th at NSF's headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA).
Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., an environmental science researcher and public
health educator at the University of Arizona, will begin the seminar
with an overview of several waterborne pathogens, discussing
microbiology, associated illnesses, exposure routes, prevention, water
treatment, and control. Matt Freije will cover government regulations
and industry guidelines for Legionella, outlining risk reduction
strategies for hospitals, hotels, office buildings, and industrial
facilities. Recommendations will be given for implementing preventive
measures and disinfection methods, and for reducing legal risk.
Attendees will also see television news clips covering outbreaks and
prevention.
The tuition of US$445 includes a course manual, copy of Legionellae
Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk,
certificate, and 0.6 CEUs.
To register or get more information, telephone NSF at 1-800-673-6275
(734-769-8010 outside the USA), or go to www.nsf.org/cphe or
www.hcinfo.com.
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8. SEMINAR RECORDINGS NOW AVAILABLE
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Recordings of 90-minute training courses presented live on the Internet
in recent months are now available for purchase. You can watch and
listen to the slide presentations on your computer. Each recording can
be downloaded for $159 or purchased on a CD for $174. A discounted
package price of $778 is available for all seven. Here are the course
titles and instructors:
* Waterborne Pathogens: Illness, Prevalence, and Risk Reduction
Strategies (Reynolds)
* Legionnaires' Disease: Update on Diagnosis, Treatment, Microbiology,
Environmental Monitoring, and Disinfection (Stout)
* Legionnaires' Disease: Guidelines, Litigation, and Risk Management
(Freije)
* Minimizing Conditions for Legionella and Other Bacteria in Plumbing
Systems (Freije)
* Reducing the Risk of Legionella in Cooling Towers (Freije)
* How to Sample Water Systems for Legionella (Freije)
* Disinfecting Potable Water Systems (Freije)
For more information, go to http://www.hcinfo.com.
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Please mention Legionella E-news in listservs or on your web site.
Sample announcement: "Legionella E-news is a free monthly international
e-newsletter that covers recent outbreaks, new publications, and new
technology. To subscribe, go to http://hcinfo.com."
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(c) Copyright 2004, 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:
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THANK YOU!
Matt Freije
mf@hcinfo.com
--
HC Information Resources Inc.
Tel: 760-494-3063
Fax: 619-839-3166
hcinfo@hcinfo.com
http://hcinfo.com
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