Marseilles. A first case of legionellosis detected: should we be worried?
By Writing Marseilles
Published on
A first case of legionellosis was contracted by a resident of the Grand Pavois building, located on avenue du Prado (8th) in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône). The ARS is currently tracing the course of the person in question, to determine where he could have come into contact with the bacteria.
Anti-legionella filters have been distributed
The bacteria grows naturally in hot water when it reaches a certain temperature. Anti-legionella filters, to be placed on the shower heads, were distributed to the inhabitants of the building to limit the risks.
Nexity, the building’s co-ownership trustee, has also posted posters in the building to inform residents of the right things to do. Residents are therefore invited to limiting their use of hot water and let the tap and shower water run for a few minutes before using it.
Analyzes of the hot water system, of the place where the bacteria is likely to grow, are in progress.
What is legionellosis?
Legionellosis is a serious lung infection caused by bacteria called Legionella. It is not a contagious disease from one person to another. Legionellosis mainly affects adults and more particularly affects people with predisposing factors.
Should we be worried about it?
Instructions were sent to the residents of the building. Given that the disease is not contagiousbut is transmitted via the hot water network, they are the only ones that can be contaminated. It cannot spread.
In addition, only vulnerable people, over the age of fifty, or with comorbidity, diabetes or immunosuppression, can contract the disease. “If we are in good health, we have often already been able to come into contact with the bacteria without being impacted”, informs us the ARS.
In 2019, 205 cases were reported to the ARS in public buildings.
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