How to protect yourself against legionellosis? National consultant: Can appear anywhere in Poland
Legionellosis can appear anywhere in Poland. Prof. talks to “Wprost” about what to do to avoid getting sick and how to protect against other diseases that can cause serious pneumonia. Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz, national consultant in the field of epidemiology, head of the Laboratory of Epidemiology of Diseases Controlled by Vaccination in the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Surveillance of the National Institute of Public Health PZH-PIB.
Katarzyna Pinkosz, Wprost: Legionellosis cases occur not only in Podkarpacie, but also in Lesser Poland and Greater Poland. Are they threatening us all over Poland?
Prof. Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz: Legionellosis can appear anywhere in Poland.
Bacteria Legionella constantly exists in the environment; he especially likes water supply, sewage and air conditioning installations, cooling towers, ponds, fountains, and showers. We had a heat wave, and this bacteria thrives at temperatures of 25-50 degrees Celsius, where it multiplies perfectly.
It is particularly dangerous for us when water containing bacteria is sprayed, creating an aerosol that we inhale.
Only older people are at risk?