What is Legionella
What is Legionella Bacteria?
Legionella is a hot topic at the moment but it is often undetected or unreported. If you’re running a business where you have staff or customers, you will need to have a Legionella Risk Assessment to keep you compliant with the law.
Legionella is the waterborne bacteria that leads to Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia with a high mortality rate. Legionnaires’ can be fatal to people who are elderly, ill, or have a compromised immune system. Although cases of legionellosis are rare, it’s widely accepted that the numbers of people affected are much higher than reported.
The Legionella bacteria can contaminate various areas and appliances in your building, including water tanks, air conditioners, plumbing systems, cooling towers, spray systems, hot tubs, hoses and more. It thrives in temperatures between 20-45°C or stagnant water systems.
The incubation period is around 2-10 days and if untreated the effects can be deadly.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include:
- A cough
- shortness of breath
- chest pain or discomfort, particularly when breathing or coughing
- a high temperature
- flu-like symptoms
You can arrange a Legionella Risk Assessment from as little as £200
for a small office, a dental surgery or a small HMO
Care homes, hotels and larger offices can be £500-£2000.