Legionella pneumophila, a bacterium that thrives in standing water, caused the 1976 Legionnaires’ epidemic in Philadelphia. The bacteria can cause severe respiratory infections if inhaled in the form of an aerosol, and heavy smokers are at higher risk. Municipal water supplies are routinely tested for Legionella. Experts recommend limiting exposure to hot tubs and misting towers.
In 1976, 29 people attending a legionnaire convention in Philadelphia died of a mysterious illness. After months of investigation, the main cause of their deaths was traced back to a bacterium called legionella, or more precisely Legionella pneumophila. The bacteria thrive in sources of standing water such as ponds, wells, cooling towers, air conditioner ducts, and hot tubs. Although the original source of the disease was thought to be standing water collected under the air conditioning units, further testing suggested this was not the main contributor.
Legionella derives its scientific name from the association with the Legionnaires’ epidemic. Many people have heard of Legionnaires’ disease, but the same bacterium is also responsible for a similar respiratory infection called Pontiac fever. Both diseases are distinguished by their severe flu-like symptoms and gastrointestinal discomfort.
People cannot get legionella through the act of drinking contaminated water or through skin contact alone. It spreads in the form of an aerosol, which means that the bacteria are contained in small droplets of water. If the infected mist manages to overcome the natural choking mechanism of the throat, it can be inhaled into the lungs.
Once the bacteria enter the lungs, they begin feeding on living tissue. The body sends out white blood cells to fend off invading bacteria, but the result is often a growing infection and excess mucus. Legionella pneumophila, responsible for 90% of all Legionella infections, does not always respond well to penicillin-based antibiotics, meaning the patient is often given a more potent antibiotic cocktail to kill the bacteria. If the patient is a heavy smoker or has a compromised respiratory system, the infection could become fatal. Many of the original 29 victims in 1976 were heavy smokers.
Legionella bacteria are known agents of disease, so municipal water supplies are routinely tested for their presence. Many people exposed to it never develop any symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease because the contaminated water must be breathed into the lungs, not swallowed, to cause illness. Heavy smokers are more at risk because their choking mechanism doesn’t work as well, leaving their lungs more vulnerable to infected water droplets. Some experts suggest limiting exposure to hot tubs and misting towers to avoid exposure to this bacteria and other aerosol-delivered infectious agents.
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