CDC to address COVID-19 impact on Legionnaires’ Disease, present new prevention tools at Legionella Conference
Two speakers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will headline a virtual special session of the annual LegionellaConference on March 9-10. “Prevention of Disease and Injury From Waterborne Pathogens During an Emergent Health Crisis” will feature CDC Commander Jasen Kunz, a senior environmental health officer, and epidemiologist Elizabeth Hannapel, who will discuss the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Legionnaires’ disease risks and new CDC Legionellacontrol tools. The conference will also cover how COVID-19 has impacted Legionnaires’ disease incidence, testing and reporting.
“Low building occupancy and closures brought on by the pandemic have changed water use patterns, creating conditions favorable for Legionellagrowth. If inhaled, Legionellabacteria can lead to the potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia,” said Dave Purkiss, vice president of NSF International’s Global Water Division. “The new tools developed by the CDC, which will be launched just prior to our conference, provide building owners and managers information and methods to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease being contracted by tenants and visitors.”