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Legionellosis in Washington
State
DOH receives 8 to 21 reports of legionellosis per
year; an average of 2 deaths are reported to be associated
with Legionella infections each year.
Outbreaks in the US have been associated with sources of
aerosolized warm water, including air conditioner cooling
towers, building and cruise ship water systems, hot spas,
fountains, hot tubs, medical respiratory devices, humidifiers,
showers, and sinks.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To identify sources of
transmission (e.g., a contaminated water source) and to
prevent further transmission from such a source.
Reporting Requirements
- Health care providers: notifiable to Local Health
Jurisdiction within 3 work days
- Hospitals: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction
within 3 work days
- Laboratories: no requirements for reporting
- Local health
jurisdictions: notifiable to DOH Communicable Disease
Epidemiology within 7 days of case investigation completion
or summary information required within 21 days
Last
update
Oct. 2002 |
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