"Legionnaires’ Outbreaks: Cases Nearly Quadrupled In 15 Years"

"Cases of Legionnaires' disease nearly quadrupled in the United States over a 15-year period, and almost all might have been prevented with the proper use of disinfectant, the right water temperature and other measures, federal health officials said Tuesday.

In the last year alone, about 5,000 Americans were diagnosed with this severe, sometimes fatal pneumonia, and more than 20 outbreaks were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease is caused by a person breathing small droplets of water contaminated with the bacteria Legionella.

"Large recent outbreaks in New York City and Flint, Michigan have brought attention to the disease and highlight the need to understand why the outbreaks occur and how best to prevent them," CDC Director Tom Frieden said in a briefing."

Lena H. Sun reports for the Washington Post June 7, 2106.

Source: Wash Post, 06/08/2016