Prevention of Legionnaire's disease

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Regulations exist in the UK to make sure water supplies and air conditioning systems are safe. Legionnaires disease can be prevented by proper chlorination (treatment of water with chlorine) and sealing of water supplies. It is however very difficult to completely get rid of this bacteria.

Many cases occurring in the UK are caught abroad. This is because Legionnairesâ€™ disease is associated with large buildings such as hotels where water systems or air conditioning systems sometimes become contaminated. Therefore tourists, staying in hotels etc. have a small risk of getting Legionnaires Disease in countries where safety regulations are more relaxed than in the UK.

Legionnaires' disease is not passed from person to person, or from drinking water and in many cases the cause is not found. When a building is found to be a source, it most be temporarily closed down and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

There is no vaccine that can protect against legionella bacteria.