engleski

The possibility of epidemics in hotels: case study of the Legionnaire’s disease

Legionnaire’s disease has special implications for the tourist trade, as it generally occurs in hotels, and rarely in apartment buildings and hospitals. Its occurrence, both in Croatia and worldwide, is connected with guests staying in facilities that provide full amenities, including systems for maintaining air temperature and humidity in enclosed areas (airconditioning), central water-heating systems, and swimming pools. The disease is caused by pathogenic micro-organisms (Legionella bacteria), and infection occurs when contaminated water droplets (aerosols) are inhaled. Isolation measures are not required for infected patients, as the disease is not transmitted by person-to-person contact. The disease develops rapidly, and in certain patient categories, it is frequently the cause of death. Legionella bacteria tend to develop more quickly in today’s climate conditions, as they thrive in high temperatures and high air humidity (temperatures from 27 to 46o C and relative humidity higher than 70 per cent). To avoid contamination, measures of prevention should be taken. The best effects are achieved by pasteurising pipelines or rinsing them with chlorine water, and by maintaining the hygiene of the hotel environment. Hotels, in which an outbreak of the disease has been repressed, are subject to continuous epidemiological controls, as the Legionella bacterial is resistant and will regenerate providing conditions are favourable.

Legionnaires'disease; disease outbreaks; legionella; hotel; tourist.

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