Extreme climate conditions, such as what the world is currently experiencing, are often linked to disease outbreaks. Scientists claim that when the weather changes, officials should anticipate and plan for surges in the number of people falling victim to various illnesses.
Take, for example, the outbreak of Leptospirosis in the Philippines after a terrible monsoon season, and the severe flu strains created by El Niño due to the shift in bird migration patterns. Both of these clearly prove that extreme weather changes promote the proliferation of health risks.
Legionnaires’ disease is included among the diseases that proliferate due to weather changes. Legionella bacteria naturally occur in water distribution and cooling systems, especially when the right temperature for these systems is not maintained. There are even reports that have surfaced about equipment such as soft ice machines becoming the breeding ground for the said bacteria after a power outage, exposing many to the harmful bacteria.
Therefore, while the world is experiencing extreme heat and cold, and water systems are constantly overworked to maintain the correct temperatures, the likelihood of Legionella bacteria occurring within these systems is very high — and this raises the risk of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.
While Legionnaires’ disease is curable, especially with timely treatment, it can prove fatal for really young children, older individuals, and those who have respiratory issues to begin with. It also worth mentioning that people infected with this disease can experience intense physical suffering. As such, it is exceptionally crucial to execute preventive methods that target the root of the problem.
One of the most reliable methods for preventing exposure to Legionella bacteria is to make sure that it does not thrive in your home, especially during these days when the El Niño phenomenon is creating ideal conditions for the bacteria’s occurrence. For this, a regular Legionella test is a must. There are testing kits that can be purchased online; they are affordable and easy to use. In a few days’ time, you can get the test results for the water samples you have provided and find out if your home is safe from Legionella bacteria as well as other health-compromising substances in your water distribution and cooling systems.
Do not stop at just testing, though; it will help significantly to use a cleaning agent for your home that is known to be effective against Legionella bacteria. Using this will further reduce the risk of exposure and contamination.
Indeed, extreme weather conditions can breed a lot of problems, so be vigilant and implement safety practices to protect your whole family’s health.