A Somerset council is warning of a ‘heightened risk’ of Legionnaires' disease after lockdown ends.
Legionnaires' disease, which is a type of pneumonia, can be caught if you breathe in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that cause the infection.
The risk is increased after water supplies have been temporarily shut down, particularly heading into the warmer summer months.
Sedgemoor District Council is warning owners of all public buildings and volunteer-run premises that they will need to make sure that their hot/cold water and air-con systems are properly serviced and maintained before re-opening their doors to the public, or to staff.
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Buildings like shops, offices, hairdressers, beauty salons, hotels, pubs, clubs, restaurants, sports centres/clubs, gyms, residential buildings as well as campsites – anywhere that has a water supply and is currently shut down – will need to check their systems.
A spokeswoman for the council said: “Whilst water systems in businesses may not seem to be high on the priority list during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure all water systems are managed safely at this time.
“Water systems that are not being used and maintained effectively are very likely to have increased levels of bacteria present.
“Experts say that it is far better to maintain a water system than to try and treat a water system which has gone out of control.”
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection you can catch by inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs.
It's uncommon but can be very serious.
The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease can be very similar to COVID-19 and include high temperature, feverishness and chills, a cough, muscle pains, headache, and pneumonia.
How do you catch Legionnaires’ disease?
It's usually caught in places like hotels, hospitals or offices where the bacteria have got into the water supply. It's very rare to catch it at home.
You can catch it from things like:
- air conditioning systems
- spa pools and hot tubs
- showers, taps and toilets
Legionella bacteria are naturally present in water systems.
Unless water systems are maintained, the closure of buildings due to COVID19 restrictions can result in growth of legionella to a level that may cause illness when buildings are reopened.
The warmer summer months will lead to a greater proliferation of Legionella bacteria in water systems that are not being used or maintained.
The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious disease (ESGLI) has issued specific guidance on managing Legionella in buildings and offices that have shut down due to the pandemic here.
Alternatively, there is advice on Sedgemoor District Council’s website or you can phone the Environmental Health Team on 0300 303 7806.