Around 300 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported annually in Illinois, according to public health officials. However, 2015 and 2016 have proven to be particularly alarming due to the number of actual deaths and the various places where outbreaks have taken place.
Red Roof Inn
Recently, new cases of Legionnaires’ disease have raised the alarm again. It was revealed that three people who stayed at Red Roof Inn in Danville developed a severe form of pneumonia after spending time at the said accommodation. The hotel’s swimming pool and whirlpool, as well as one guest room, have been closed off since the link between the infected individuals and the hotel was established. This precaution is in order to prevent the risk of further contamination.
Locals are concerned; many say it’s important to determine the conditions that triggered the emergence of the dreaded Legionella bacteria. Once established, they can take the necessary steps to protect themselves. The waiting is frustrating, as the health professionals who took water samples claim they won’t get water tests results until after two weeks. A lot of people are aggravated due to the long waiting period. Two weeks seems an eternity to establish whether or not Legionella bacteria are indeed present in their community. They do not feel safe until results come out and they have taken action on the problem.
Luckily, that is not the case in UK as water quality testing kits are readily available, and easy to use. Different testing kits are available for a range of water sources and all analysis is done in a UKAS accredited laboratory. The results come with a detailed interpretation from the lab personnel and technical service team. You will be informed of the appropriate course of action in the event that any legionella bacteria are detected. If no legionella are found, then you will be provided with a certificate as proof. For this reason, it is easy for employers and business owners to ensure the safety of water facilities. With regular risk assessment and water quality testing, they can prevent exposure to hazardous substances.
The case of Red Roof Inn in Danville is an example of how dangerous Legionnaire’s disease can be. It can impact your business and most of all put the health of your customers at risk.
It makes more sense to test routinely to find small counts of legionella bacteria and deal with them. Irregular testing allows the counts rise to the point where it could be fatal.