THE SAGA OF LEGIONELLA

Legionnaires' Disease rates have not changed since the disease was discovered. Last year, 1,222 people with Legionnaires' Disease were reported to the CDC national passive surveillance program. It is known that the number of people who get Legionnaires' Disease each year is actually much greater. The estimated number ranges from 10,000 to 50,000 Legionella pneumonias per year. Most hospitals do not report cases because the reporting is optional and also because diagnosis is difficult. Legionnaires' Disease is not confined to the United States. By 1983, this pneumonia had been identified on six continents around the world. Often, without laboratory confirmation of diagnosis, people with signs and symptoms are treated with an antibiotic (intravenous erythromycin or oral rifampin) known to be effective against Legionella, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' Disease. Additional source information about Legionella is referenced. 33, 37