Iowa State epidemiologist, Patricia Quinlisk, says the Legionella bacteria recently found in Iowa City’s Veteran’s Administration hospital is common in most water supplies and throughout the environment. The bacteria can lead to a type of pneumonia known as Legionnaire’s Disease. Quinlisk says she’s not worried about the discovery.
Quinlisk says there’s no reason to worry about the bacteria being around.
Quinlisk says most people have immune system resistance.
Quinlisk says the bacteria is spread by breathing a water mist into the respiratory system, and not from drinking the water.
Quinlisk says persons with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk for pneumonia caused by the bacteria. The bacteria first gained attention from an outbreak among those attending a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia in 1976. The cooling system in the hotel they were staying in caused the outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease.
