Legionnaires' Disease | Vermont Department of Health
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Legionnaires' Disease
Other Reportable Diseases
Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
Global Infectious Diseases
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Disease (HIB)
Legionnaires' Disease
Measles
Meningococcal Disease
Mumps
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Pneumococcal Disease
Polio
Group A Strep Infections
Group B Strep Infections
Varicella: Chickenpox and Shingles
Legionella
bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called
Legionnaires’ disease
. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and almost never spreads from person to person. Most healthy people do not get Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to
Legionella
Legionella
bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called
Pontiac fever
People can get sick with Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in small droplets or mist of water containing
Legionella
bacteria into their lungs.
Legionella
occurs naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. It can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in buildings’ water systems that are not properly maintained. Outbreaks are often linked to large or complex water systems, like those found in hospitals, hotels and cruise ships. The most common sources of infection are from showers, air conditioning cooling towers, decorative fountains and hot tubs.
Learn more at CDC
Symptoms
Legionnaires' disease
is similar to other types of pneumonia with symptoms that include:
Cough
Shortness of breath
Fever
Muscle aches
Headaches
Symptoms usually begin two to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria, but it can take longer. The disease can be treated with antibiotics. Most people who get sick need care in a hospital but make a full recovery. However, about one in 10 people who get it will die from the infection.
Pontiac fever
is a milder infection and symptoms are usually fever and muscle aches. They can begin between a few hours to three days after being exposed. The illness usually lasts less than a week and goes away without requiring treatment.
People at Increased Risk
Certain risk factors can increase your chances of getting sick from
Legionnaires' disease
, including:
Being 50 years or older
Currently or formerly smoking tobacco or other products
Having chronic lung disease
Having a weakened immune system
Pontiac fever
most commonly occurs in people who are otherwise healthy.
What Vermonters Can Do
Talk to your health care provider if you believe you might have been exposed to
Legionella
and have symptoms. Be sure to mention if you have used a hot tub, spent any nights away from home, or stayed in a hospital in the last two weeks.
The key to preventing Legionnaire’s disease is to reduce the risk of
Legionella
growth and spread. Building owners and managers can develop a
water management program
to reduce their building’s risk for growing and spreading the bacteria.
Resources
Legionnaire’s disease
fact sheet
(CDC)
Toolkit for business owners and operators
(CDC)
Information for clinicians
(CDC)
Important Links
Preventing Waterborne Germs at Home (CDC)
Protecting Yourself from Legionella in Hot Tubs (CDC)
Info for Vacation Rental Owners and Managers (CDC)
Topics:
Infectious Diseases
January 23, 2025